Four first half goals gave Carlisle a crucial three points as Crawley fought back with two second half strikes.

A Nathan Thomas double got things going inside 10 minutes before Callum O’Hare and Hallam Hope made sure the Cumbrians were on course to victory within 33 minutes.

However, a beautifully-worked Ashley Nathaniel-George goal allowed some Red Devil hope as an Anthony Gerrard own goal doubled their tally late on.

It was truly a tale of two halves, reflected by the turbulent weather at Brunton Park. Carlisle had not scored four first half goals in the league since 2007, as Crawley capitulated early to make it look like they were still in West Sussex for the opening exchanges.

Steven Pressley, signed for another year by the club last Sunday, made one change as Regan Slater returned for the injured Kelvin Etuhu – who could miss the start of next season with a “severe” hamstring tear.

Meanwhile, Gabriele Cioffi brought Reece Grego-Cox back into the side for Luke Gambin. Manchester United youth product Matty Willock also returned to the bench.

It only took seven minutes for the Blues to take the lead as Slater drove forward before laying off Thomas, who glided in from the right of the box to smash into the top left-hand corner.

Just over 60 seconds later, Thomas struck again. This time, O’Hare set him up and it was a cool left-footed finish on the floor which beat Glenn Morris – giving the visitors an uphill battle.

With the hail raining down, the Blues benefitted from the zippy surface which lead to a flurry of opportunities in the opening exchanges.

The Cumbrians were dominating, and would have got a third earlier if not for Dallison’s magnificent goal line clearance to deny marauding right back Gary Liddle.

O’Hare soon got in on the act to make it three, smashing in after Morris parried but had picked up an injury in that previous attack so was immediately substituted for Jason Kennedy.

Hope then struck for a fourth with a well-hit effort from around 20 years which nestled in the bottom left corner – pushing his tally to 14 goals.

Things slowed down and the goals dried up but just as the interval loomed, the Red Devils produced a phenomenal passage of play as Oliver Palmer later in Nathaniel-George to grab his second goal in two games.

It almost felt like game over at the break but a final 45 minutes of classic League Two action was in store.

Half-time: 4-1

The second half went typically fourth division.

Cioffi must have said the right things in the dressing room as Crawley were a different side. Looking dangerous in each department, the Reds forced Adam Collin to make numerous interventions.

Cioffi hooked Oliver Palmer around the hour mark and the 14-goal striker was livid walking into the dugout.

Carlisle were sluggish and constantly gifted the ball to their opponents. They were cut up again on 77 minutes following much frustration inside Brunton Park, as Gerrard turned in a cross shortly after Collin had produced a fine save.

Pressley aimed to inspire those jeering supporters as he became animated once the ball hit the back of the net, raising his arms in hole of rallying the Paddock stand.

It was almost 4-3 and a frantic finish when Grego-Cox received the ball and was one-on-one with Collin but the recently announced News & Star player of the year tipped the shot onto the post.

That snapped the Cumbrians back into gear and they saw the game out well in the closing stages.

A key component of the Red Devils’ valiant fight-back was their 76 die-hard supporters who had suffered enough by the dying embers, yet they continued to belt their hearts out with chants.

Fortunately for them, Crawley are safe and sound to compete in this league next term, with only 33 minutes killing off their chances this one, but Carlisle are hoping to have a campaign in the division above.

Facing a gruelling trip of their own at Yeovil Town on the final day, the Cumbrians must get another three points at Huish Park to have a chance of being involved play-offs. Meanwhile on the final day, the Red Devils return to Broadfield Stadium as they host Tranmere Rovers to end 2018-19.

Attendance: 4,514 (76)

Home star man: Adam Collin

Away star man: Ashley Nathaniel-George

Referee: Scott Oldham

words Nathan Ridley, D3D4 Carlisle United correspondent