Carlisle United made it back-to-back National League victories as David Ajiboye’s first-half double helped Rob Elliot’s side to a 3-1 win over Aldershot Town at the EBB Stadium.
Aldershot had the first effort of note when Marcus Dinanga tested Adam Desbois from outside the box, but Carlisle went ahead in the 12th minute. Regan Linney combined with Miguel Azeez on the left and Azeez delivered the ball across goal for Ajiboye to finish from close range.
The Shots came close to an immediate response. Hakeem Sandah released Anisius Lewis down the right and the striker’s effort from a tight angle beat Desbois but struck the far post. Dinanga then found space following Brody Peart’s flicked header, only to shoot straight at the Carlisle goalkeeper.
Carlisle threatened again when Nick Hayes raced from his goal to deny Linney, before Ajiboye doubled the visitors’ advantage in the 28th minute. Josh Williams found space to send a low cross into the area and Ajiboye met it to fire into the roof of the net for his second of the afternoon.
Aldershot made their first change four minutes later as Tyrese Dyce replaced Elijah Oladunjoye. A second substitution followed in the 41st minute when Peart was forced off after going down with an apparent injury, with Jack Matton taking his place as the Shots went into half-time 2-0 behind.
Carlisle had chances to put the game beyond Aldershot after the restart. Azeez cut the ball back for Linney in the opening minute of the second half, but Hayes made the block, while the Shots goalkeeper was called upon again as the visitors continued to threaten. Michael Stickland also made an important clearance after a Carlisle attacker had taken the ball around Hayes.
Ajiboye’s afternoon ended in the 71st minute when he was replaced by Micah Obiero, while Stephen Wearne came on for Teddy Jenks. Obiero had an opportunity to add a third before Aldershot unexpectedly gave themselves hope with a minute of normal time remaining.
Conor Lawless’ corner was headed clear only as far as Dominic Odusanya on the edge of the penalty area, and the midfielder struck a superb right-footed volley beyond Desbois to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
Any prospect of a late Aldershot equaliser was quickly extinguished in stoppage time. Carlisle broke after regaining possession and Ryan Galvin supplied the ball across the six-yard box for substitute Obiero to tap home and complete a 3-1 victory.
The win followed Carlisle’s 2-0 success at Fylde in midweek and gave Elliot’s side consecutive league victories for the first time this season after they had previously gone five National League matches without a win. Carlisle ended Saturday 14th with 16 points from 12 games, while a second successive defeat left Aldershot 10th on 18 points.
