Carlisle United 4 Bury 0

The win moved the Cumbrians into second place, with Paul Simpson's manager of the month award proving to be anything but a curse.

The Shakers were on the back foot early on and the lively Brendan McGill smashed a 20-yard volley against the bar after six minutes.

After nine minutes defender Simon Grand, making just his second league start of the season, bundled the ball over the line from Peter Murphy's corner.

Just before the half-hour came the Cumbrians crowning moment when Zigor Aranalde finished a marvellous move to make it 3-0.

Good build up play saw Karl Hawley beat his marker on the touchline and he crossed to the near post for Michael Bridges to flick on. Aranalde arrived at the far post to fire a low volley past Neil Edwards from 15 yards.

With Bury struggling to put two passes together, promotion chasing United pressed on and could have easily added another before Hawley struck his 16th of the season within a minute of the second half.

Chris Lumsdon robbed David Buchanan and passed to the unmarked Hawley who finished easily from 10 yards.

It was Hawley's first goal in seven games, and he should have netted again two minutes later, but smashed his shot narrowly wide after a neat flick from Bridges.

After that the Cumbrians took their foot off the pedal but still dominated even in second gear.

Sub Simon Hackney was brought on to terrorise the Shakers' defence and, within five minutes, he beat two defenders and put in a dangerous cross. Lumsdon missed his kick at the near post but McGill was on hand to tap in the goal his performance deserved.

Bury rallied late on and even forced a save from Keiren Westwood but it was too little too late as the Cumbrians left the field to a standing ovation.