Carlisle United's five best and five worst games under Chris Beech

Chris Beech's Blues tenure took in most points of the League Two table.

As the Cumbrians continue their search for Beech's successor, we look back at the best - and worst - displays from his near two-year reign, in chronological order.

THE BEST

1. Forest Green 1 Carlisle United 4

Nathan Thomas, left, celebrates at Forest Green (photo: Barbara Abbott)

The night it seemed United were stirring at last. A side bolstered by January signings thrashed Forest Green at the New Lawn in early 2020. Nathan Thomas hit a stunning hat-trick, Joshua Kayode grabbed another, and Beech's early uplift of the struggling Blues gathered some pace.

2. Carlisle United 3 Newport County 2

Lewis Alessandra nets against Newport (photo: Stuart Walker)

A slow start to the 2020/21 season developed into a potent autumn. Two Jon Mellish strikes after a Lewis Alessandra penalty helped Carlisle cut down the leaders, and the new strength and boldness of Beech's Blues was becoming apparent.

3. Crawley Town 0 Carlisle United 3

United celebrate at Crawley (photo: Simon Dack)

The best away performance under the head coach came far from home in Sussex in November 2020. United were sharp, strong and clinical as Rhys Bennett, JJ Kayode and Aaron Hayden all struck.

4. Carlisle United 4 Stevenage 0

Joshua Kayode, right, celebrates scoring against Stevenage (photo: Barbara Abbott)

What became known as Beech-ball - Carlisle's direct, high-pressing style under the boss - delivered emphatic results here. United obliterated Stevenage and looked supremely confident and muscular in doing so.

5. Carlisle United 1 Exeter City 0

United edged past Exeter (photo: Barbara Abbott)

United hadn't kicked a competitive ball for nearly a month when they hosted the Grecians. They found serious resolve to edge a narrow, exhausting win, before their bubble finally burst.

THE WORST

1. Colchester United 3 Carlisle United 0

United were easily beaten at Colchester

Beech's first league defeat in charge highlighted the scale of the task. United looked bereft as they stumbled to heavy defeat in Essex. It demonstrated the work Beech neeeded to carry out, and quickly.

2. Cambridge United 3 Carlisle United 0

Paul Farman shows his frustration at Cambridge (photo: Richard Parkes)

A stark beginning to the delayed 2020/21 league season. United were behind early, looked defensively haphazard, and offered paltry things at the other end too.

3. Carlisle United 0 Leyton Orient 1

Blues lose to Orient (photo: Barbara Abbott)

Right in the middle of their post-Covid decline, the Blues had lost all sense of strength, and a tepid March 2021 performance brought the extra agony of a farcical late Orient winner.

4. Hartlepool United 2 Carlisle United 1

Gavan Holohan's goal for Hartlepool sinks United (photo: Barbara Abbott)

On paper, a narrow defeat. In reality, an empty Blues performance against buoyant Pools which sounded the alarm about where their form was heading. 

5. Sutton United 4 Carlisle United 0

United concede at Sutton (photo: Richard Parkes)

The lowest point. The Blues gave up cheap goals to the EFL newcomers and were fortunate not to be buried by seven or eight. The day it became clear that Beech-ball had been burst for good.