Noble leads Cumbrians to victory

OLDHAM 1 CARLISLE UTD. 2

CARLISLE UNITED all but guaranteed their League One safety with a win that moved them above the 50-point barrier as they condemned Lee Johnson to his first defeat as Oldham boss.

Carlisle broke through after nine minutes when Oldham lost the ball cheaply in midfield and Liam Noble advanced before slamming home.

The away side were in total charge and made it 2-0 after 33 minutes as Noble’s throughball found overlapping full-back Jordan Mustoe, who superbly lobbed keeper Dean Bouzanis.

Oldham posed their first threat just before half time, Jose Baxter’s shot saved by Mark Gillespie.

A treble substitution brought the Latics to life, but Matt Smith’s header was hacked off the line by Peter Murphy.

Oldham grabbed a 73rd-minute lifeline as Mustoe tripped Korey Smith inside the box and Baxter sent Gillespie the wrong way from the penalty spot.

The hosts then spurned several chances in the final minutes.

HARTLEPOOL 2 BURY 0

POOLS ended their eight-game goalless run with a comfortable win over 10-man Bury.

They jumped over the Shakers at the foot of the table and are now just five points from safety with three games to go.

Pools were never troubled against a desperate Shakers.

SimonWalton hit a post after five minutes but the hosts had to wait until two minutes before half time to score. Jon Franks’ corner was scrappily headed over the line by Andy Monkhouse for Pools’ first goal in 762 minutes.

The Shakers had Craig Fagan sent off for a foul on Darren Holden before half time, and after the break Andy Bishop had the visitors’ best effort, curling over on 55 minutes.

Pool grabbed their second through Monkhouse again 18 minutes from the end.

PRESTON 3 SCUNTHORPE 0

JACK KING scored his first goal of 2013 to seal Preston’s first win in five games.

Lee Holmes put Preston ahead seven minutes before the break and Nicky Wroe doubled the advantage on 78 minutes after pouncing on goalkeeper Eirik Holmen Johansen’s error.

And King wrapped up the win in stoppage time when he headed home to make it five home games unbeaten.

Scunthorpe’s best opportunity was wasted on the hour by Akpo Sodje who was presented with a chance when home keeper Declan Rudd missed a looping cross, but he was off target.