Carlisle United 0 Northampton 2: Keith Curle’s Northampton piled more pressure on Carlisle United manager Steven Pressley tonight as the Blues fell to a fourth straight League Two defeat, losing 2-0.

Home fans once again called for Pressley to be dismissed, as a second-half strike by Scott Pollock, followed by a second goal for the away team from Sam Hoskins in second-half stoppage-time, ensured it was a winning return to Brunton Park for ex-United boss Curle.

The home team had enjoyed the better of the first half.

But five minutes after the restart, Northampton picked the ball up after an attempted pass out from the back by promising youngster Jarrad Branthwaite and opened the scoring. The ball, eventually, fell kindly to Pollock who rifled in his first goal for the club.

Carlisle struggled to muster a response, and Northampton sealed the win late on when Hoskins fired past United keeper Adam Collin.

It was a slow start to the match, with Northampton having the first chance of any real note on 11 minutes. But Andy Williams fired wide after a weak header by Branthwaite.

Two minutes later, United created their first opening. Nathan Thomas forced a save from away goalkeeper David Cornell, before Hallam Hope headed the loose ball wide.

A mix-up between Carlisle captain Collin and Byron Webster then almost cost the hosts on the 24th minute, only for Williams to fail to react after keeper Collin had dropped the cross by Hoskins.

Then, on the 36th minute, Branthwaite attacked a Thomas corner but couldn't quite do enough to direct the ball goalwards.

Three minutes before the break, recalled Thomas tried his luck from distance, forcing a fingertip save from Cornell in the Cobblers goal.

Five minutes after the restart, a Gethin Jones cross was blocked, with the ball falling kindly to United's Thomas who fired wide.

But, a minute later, Carlisle failed to clear and Northampton picked the ball up after an attempted pass out from the back by Branthwaite and broke the deadlock. Pollock firing into the roof of the net for his first goal for the club.

On 70 minutes, substitute Harry Smith came close to doubling Northampton's advantage, but he was denied by Collin.

Smith then had a similar chance four minutes later but, once again, his effort lacked the power to get past Cumbrian Collin.

As Carlisle looked for a way back into the match, substitute Harry McKirdy flashed his effort wide of the post, 11 minutes from time.

But it was the away side having the better of the chances and, once again, Collin was called into action on 87 minutes, beating away substitute Vadaine Oliver's strike.

Then, at the start of second-half stoppage-time, Hoskins latched on to a loose ball for the Cobblers and fired past Collin as the disgruntled home supporters headed for the exit.

The defeat leaves United 21th in League Two, five points ahead of bottom side Stevenage.

Manager Pressley made two changes to his starting line-up as Carlisle aimed to earn a much-needed League Two win against Keith Curle's Northampton.

Frontman Thomas and Christie Elliott came in for the suspended Jack Iredale and Olufela Olomola who dropped to the bench after Saturday's 2-0 loss at Plymouth.

Carlisle: Collin (c), Elliott, Mellish, Thomas (Olomola 80), M.Jones (McKirdy 70), Hope (Loft 63), Scougall, G.Jones, Webster, Bridge, Branthwaite.

Carlisle unused subs: Gray, Knight-Percival, Sagaf, Sorensen.

Northampton: Cornell, Goode (c), Turnbull, Hoskins, Adams, Williams (Oliver 72), Pollock, Wharton, McWilliams, Harriman (Smith 46), Waters.

Northampton unused subs: Fisher, Hall-Johnson, Lines, McWilliams, Anderson.

Northampton goal: Pollock, 51 and Hoskins, 90+2.

Attendance: 3,324 (176 away fans).