Sutton United continued their push for automatic promotion as they defeated Carlisle United 2-0 at Brunton Park.

Isaac Olaofe and David Ajiboye scored eight minutes apart in the first half as the Yellow Army sit fourth in the EFL League Two table, only trailing Newport County on goal difference.

Story of the match

The windy conditions made for a scrappy game, Ben Goodliffe cutting out a pair of early crosses while a corner from Callum Guy went across the face of goal.

Jon Mellish attempted a shot from inside his own half, attempting to catch Dean Bouzanis out, but he adjusted his position and saved comfortably. 

In the 23rd minute, Sutton made the breakthrough. Goodliffe brought the ball forward and found Robert Milsom, his cross headed out by Dynel Simeu only as far as Olaofe, who finished low past Mark Howard.

Carlisle were nearly level moments later as Omari Patrick sent a fine cross in from the right that was met by a diving Jack Armer, who rattled his header off of the post.

The lead was doubled just after the half-hour mark following neat passing movement involving Louis John, Richie Bennett, Craig Estmond and Olaofe, ending with Bennett slipping a pass through to Ajiboye, who held off his challengers and shot low in to the net.

Sutton could have had more, Howard tipping away a Milsom corner and he then saved low from Enzo Boldewijn after the winger had cut in from the left to create a clear shooting opportunity.

After lax defending from Rod McDonald, Olafoe cut the ball back to the by-line for Bennett, whose close range shot was somehow kept out by Howard, who also saved Ali Smith's shot as the ball ran loose.

The Yellow Army came close to extending the lead when a mistake by Simeu left Olaofe clear, but the defender did well to make up for his error by getting back to block the shot.

Carlisle enjoyed their best spell of the match when Joel Senior's cross was deflected just wide of his own goal by John, who was then in the right place in the six yard box to block a Mellish header after Brennanm Dickinson's cross had been headed back by Gibson.

Bouzanis pushed away a low shot from Gibson as Carlisle looked for a way back into the game. At the other end, Boldewijn played a one-two with substitute Donovan Wilson to leave himself with just Howard to beat, but the keeper was able to save.

Man of the match: Isaac Olaofe

He did a little bit of everything, scoring the opening goal of the match, set up teammates and got himself in good positions to add to his tally. Overall, a fine performance.

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