Carlisle United's League Two play-off challenge will go to the final day of the season after they scored four goals in the first half-hour against Crawley.

Nathan Thomas bagged a brace, with Callum O'Hare and Hallam Hope also netting in a rampant opening spell at Brunton Park.

Ashley Nathaniel-George pulled one back for the away team shortly before the break, and they cut the deficit further when United defender Anthony Gerrard scored an own-goal on 76 minutes.

But despite an edgy second half which saw News & Star readers' player of the year Adam Collin make some good saves, Carlisle held on for a third straight home win.

It means their chances of reaching the top seven will go to their final fixture when they go to Yeovil, whose relegation from the Football League has been confirmed.

Here's what our Blues views thought of Carlisle's home win on Saturday.

Ste Anderson

Well, what a bizarre game. This performance was very indicative of our whole season.

For half an hour in the first half, we were unbeatable and could’ve quite easily put six goals past them. Then, in true Jekyll and Hyde fashion, we lost the plot in the second half and really struggled.

You can see why United manager Steven Pressley keeps mentioning fitness because the entire team were dead on their feet after about 60 minutes. It was a real shame to see Jason Kennedy off the pace and not fit and, in general, yet more injuries to a small squad.

With results going against us, it’s all but over, but at the very least Yeovil are now relegated. Up the Blues! Who knows?

Graham Watt

I think this is hardest review I have had to write. Where do we start?

Is it too little too late, or are we in with a fighting chance? It’s just a shame Exeter won or it would be so interesting.

Wow, what a first half, what a fight for the last play-off place. 

Goal difference could come into play and the two goals we shipped, hopefully, won’t cost us. If only we could play like we did in the first half every week, we would be up by now.

If I am honest, I can’t see us making the play-offs. But if anyone can, it’s Carlisle.

We love to do things the hard way, and with Yeovil down they have nothing to play for, so let’s just go for and it see what happens.

Craig Mattinson

Last home game of the season and the obligatory Jekyll and Hype performance: magnificent for the first half and very poor for the second.

A huge factor in the turnaround was the loss of O’Hare, who again, showed an exemplary attitude. Couple that with Thomas producing some fantastic wing play and two great goals, and the rest of the team pressing Crawley into numerous mistakes, we looked on for a cricket score.

The second half, however, was very poor and indicative of the way our season has gone. There’s a slim chance of the play-offs and more points than last season is progress.

Personally, I’m happy Mr Pressley has been given a chance next season.

David MacLachlan

I think we’ve now got a good idea of the type of football Pressley wants us to adapt to next season: a high pressing game which, for 40 minutes, was simply too much for our opponents.

I sense, though, that the moment Crawley emerged from the tunnel to be confronted by a Cumbrian hailstorm, their players didn’t fancy the challenge.

Unfortunately because of the poor fitness levels of some of our players, our dominance could not be maintained.

Results elsewhere were not kind to us but we must beat already-relegated Yeovil and pray that our rivals get the jitters.

Bruce Vander

Almost there, one to go, and the game that ends the home campaign must’ve been one of the weirdest.

For United to have found themselves 4-0 up, seemingly without any effort, was brilliant, but eerie. Crawley were ghosts as Thomas danced through their defence twice; the second time was sublime.

If United, and in particular O’Hare, had been able to continue as they had started, who knows what the score would have been by half-time. Sadly, O’Hare’s concussion meant he left the field after 20 minutes, at the same time as United’s energy levels.

By 60 minutes, Carlisle looked collectively like a spent force; the spirit had left them. Whether it’s age, general fitness or the paper thin squad, United look fit only for a long rest.

Mercifully, with play-off hopes fading, United will only need to endure once more at Yeovil.

Michelle Hall

A Thomas brace in the first 10 minutes gave us a great start. O’Hare and Hope added goals to give the Brunton Park crowd a reason to believe the play-offs might just still be a possibility.

The second-half performance was disappointing, but Carlisle managed to hold on to claim the three points, even gifting Crawley a goal along the way.

A special mention has to go to captain Danny Grainger who is hanging up his boots after serving the club so well for many seasons. Carlisle United always look a stronger team with him on the pitch.

We’ve a long trip to newly-relegated Yeovil on Saturday.

All Carlisle can do is win and hope other results go the right way.