Gavin Skelton warned there must be no easing up at Carlisle United despite the Blues having banished any lingering risk of relegation.

The Cumbrians are now preparing for back-to-back away trips having claimed an impressive 2-0 victory over Newport on Tuesday.

That took Chris Beech’s side 20 points clear of danger with nine games to go.

It is a position United would have settled for when Beech was appointed but assistant Skelton insisted there is still plenty to play for in their remaining League Two fixtures.

“That [position now] doesn’t take away that edge,” he said.

“Yes, to go away from the bottom is good but then it’s about pulling those teams above you closer to you.

“There won’t be a dead rubber in any of these games for us.”

Skelton said United turned in a professional performance against Newport as they bounced back from their 3-0 reverse to Colchester.

It saw Omari Patrick and Joshua Kayode on target, while the recalled Jack Bridge caught the eye in a wide midfield role.

Skelton said the framework of United’s win was important and an example of what they now have to reproduce.

The coach said: “In two of the last three games – Cambridge and Newport – we’ve done the basics well and that gives you a platform.

“You can only play with that freedom if you do the basics right. In football, you don’t reinvent the wheel, it doesn’t change.”

Skelton admitted Bridge had taken his chance after being brought back into the side by Beech.

The former Northampton man will now hope to hold off the challenge of fit-again Nathan Thomas for his place against Grimsby and Keith Curle’s Cobblers, who United face next Tuesday.

Skelton said: “You were desperate for Jack to get a goal and capitalise on his performance.

“He covers a lot of ground and does work hard. He’s excellent on the ball and out wide it gives us a different option.

“He played in that position at Forest Green when we had a good win. He contains the ball well.”

There was also an encouraging display at centre-half from Max Hunt on his second consecutive start.

The ex-Derby man was named man-of-the-match, and Beech must now decide whether to keep the 20-year-old in the side at Grimsby or recall Byron Webster on his return from suspension.

January signing Hunt had endured a tougher outing against Colchester but Skelton said: “As a young footballer coming in, you’ll be up and down.

“He’s probably had every emotion in the space of four days.

“If he continues to play for the next 10-15 years that’s it – you’re up and down, up and down, and it’s how you handle it.

“There’s lots to work on with Max, which he knows. He’s gone from under-23s football this year to playing at Aldershot [in the National League, where he did well, to league football.

“He’s got a long way to go but showed signs of improvement against Newport and should take real credit for the clean sheet.”

While Skelton was impressed with the performances of scorers Patrick and Kayode, he also felt Tuesday’s system got the best out of Lewis Alessandra, who turned in an impressive display.

The Blues No2 said: “He played in his favourite position, the 10, and he looked a real problem.

“He wasn’t having to run out wide etc, exert energy going the other way.

“He was unlucky not to score – he hit Josh’s backside in the first half when it was maybe going in, and in the second half the keeper makes a brilliant save.

“He can takes confidence from that. When you have confidence you’re prepared to run around more, and at the end he was pressing right to the end, which was pleasing to see.”