Only one month ago the Cumbrians were comprehensively beaten 3-1 at Rushden and Diamonds' Nene Park, but the transformation in their fortunes was never more evident than in this one-sided return.

The 3-0 scoreline did little to reflect the dominance of a resurgent United, winning their third game in four.

Manager Roddy Collins said: "The most satisfying thing for the supporters was to see how hard those lads work. Everything they get they deserve because they are earning it.

"I wouldn't single players out because they work so hard for each other. I have players to come in if the take-over is successful and with games now coming at a rate of two per week, we will need the extra cover.

“With no game on Saturday I’ve given the players a few days off. They’ve earned it”

Carlisle almost got a dream start after nine minutes when Lee Andrews played Stuart Green in for the Newcastle youngster to power a shot across Billy Turley in the Diamonds' goal, only to see his effort come back off the far post.

The Cumbrians took the lead on 23 minutes. Ian Stevens' cross from the right was met by a poor Foran header. But Ray Warburton only cleared to Green on the edge of the box and the midfielder powered a right foot volley into the bottom corner.

One became two five minutes later Michael McElhatton failed to clear Green's shot from the left, leaving Foran clear to lift the ball over Turley.

On 37 minutes Carlisle again had the ball in the net but Foran had strayed offside before heading past Turley.

Diamonds finished the half the stronger. Peter Keen made a double-save from Darby and Setchell before Hunter headed onto the bar from one of Paul Hall's three successive corners.

Immediately after the break, Michael Jack shot narrowly wide and Steve Halliday volleyed inches wide from a Foran near post cross.

With play virtually all one way, Lee Andrews played a one-two with Foran before shooting straight at Turley. Birch then sent Halliday down the right and his pull-back found Soley whose shot was turned away by the increasingly busy Turley.

Carlisle's third came after 65 minutes when a Green cross was headed back at the far post by Foran for Halliday to volley home.

Chances continued to come thick and fast for the Cumbrians and they would have had more goals but for Turley, who made point-blank saves from Green and Soley to keep the scoreline respectable.

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