Yeovil Town 0 Carlisle United 1: Hallam Hope struck the winner as Carlisle United earned a third straight win to keep their play-off hopes alive.

Hope fired the only goal early in the second half as Keith Curle's team cut the gap to the top seven to six points.

It is the first time this season they have claimed three successive league wins and it took United up to 10th in League Two.

Hope's 10th of the season was the difference after 48 minutes.

After Jamie Devitt's backheel in midfield evaded two home players, Richie Bennett sent the ball left and Hope cut in to place a measured low shot past keeper Jonathan Maddison.

It was the first home goal Yeovil have conceded in the league for more than five hours.

Lewis Wing hit the post late on for the Glovers, Hope having also struck the woodwork, as United held on for the points.

Bennett, recalled along with Kris Twardek at the expense of John O'Sullivan and Reggie Lambe, missed Carlisle's best chance in a tight first half at Huish Park.

The big striker headed a Tom Parkes free-kick wide midway through the first 45 minutes.

Both sides had spells of attacking pressure in an even contest but neither could gain the advantage before the break.

Hope put an early effort wide and Luke Joyce had a 20-yard drive blocked for Carlisle.

At the other end, Omar Sowunmi beat Jack Bonham to a bouncing free-kick but couldn't keep his shot down.

Ryan Seager then curled a low shot wide as ref Antony Coggins played an advantage following a Mark Ellis foul on Sam Surridge.

Jake Gray was then put through but curled his shot narrowly wide, the ref giving a goal-kick despite Bonham appearing to save.

Gray's afternoon then ended early as he landed badly in the 40th minute and, after five minutes of treatment, was stretchered off, Otis Khan coming off the bench.

Mike Jones came on for the recalled Kris Twardek at the break and Bennett could have opened the scoring before Hope did shoot United ahead with his first goal for two months.

They could then have made it two when Devitt went past Ryan Dickson, but he blazed the shot over the bar.

Hope then hit the post as sub Nadesan's attempt was then saved.

Yeovil tried to find a leveller but Khan miskicked from a great position and Gary Liddle then cleared Sowunmi's shot off the line.

They came close in the 89th minute but Wing's drilled low attempt bashed against the post.

The action followed a pitch inspection earlier in the afternoon at Huish Park.

One goalmouth at the ground remained under cover as the officials and club staff arrived.

A heater was also being used to thaw the area of the surface under scrutiny.

But referee Coggins declared the game to be on after an inspection at 1.15pm.

Yeovil: Maddison, Wing, Browne, Dickson, Surridge, Sowunmi, Gobern, Gray (Khan 45), Seager (Green 56), Whelan, James. Not used: Nelson, Donnellan, C Smith, Bird, Fisher.

United: Bonham, Liddle, Parkes, Ellis, Hill, Joyce, Devitt, Twardek (Jones 46), Hope, Bennett (Nadesan 64), Stockton (O'Sullivan 74). Not used: Gray, Grainger, Campbell-Ryce, Lambe.