LEE NOVAK and Jordan Rhodes were back on the scoresheet as Town stormed the football frontier post of Carlisle for the first time in 25 years.

Goals at the start of each half claimed a convincing win in the first of three crucial away games for Lee Clark’s side.

Town hadn’t won at Brunton Park since 1984-85, and were made to sweat after Joe Anyinsah’s stoppage-time strike, but were well worth the three points as they made it four wins in eight unbeaten games in League I.

It was the second meeting of the sides in 10 days after a 1-1 stalemate at the Galpharm.

Town made one change from Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with Swindon, Danny Drinkwater coming in for Michael Collins, who dropped to the bench.

Carlisle, on a high after reaching the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final and putting five without reply past MK Dons at Brunton Park on Saturday, kept the side who destroyed Paul Ince’s team.

They were second-best for the majority of the first half, however, as Town started strongly and continued to play some neat and fluent football.

They’d forced three corners, with Rhodes heading narrowly wide from the first and having a close-range effort from the second blocked by Peter Murphy, before their sixth-minute breakthrough.

Lee Peltier claimed the assist, picking up possession on halfway and lofting the ball towards Novak.

The bounce was kind for the striker, who got between Murphy and Ian Harte, pushed the ball wide of goalkeeper Adam Collin, and rolled home an angled shot from eight yards out.

The goal, the 21-year-old’s ninth of the season, rewarded a determined opening by Lee Clark’s side, and they continued to look the brighter team.

Anthony Pilkington was only just over with a 20-yard shot in the 14th minute, then Peter Clarke’s header from Gary Roberts’ 18th-minute free-kick flew inches too high.

Keeper Collin got down well to block from Rhodes when Dean Heffernan sent in a low 21st-minute cross, Antony Kay came close with a 32nd-minute header, and Novak nodded onto the roof of the net from Roberts’ 37th-minute corner, Town’s seventh of the opening period.

Carlisle had been restricted to speculative efforts by Adam Clayton and Matty Robson, while Alex Smithies was quickly out of his area to clear from Darryl Duffy on the half hour, but Town had a major let-off when Carlisle mounted their first serious attack after 41 minutes.

Dobie took possession from Kevan Hurst just inside the penalty area and unleashed a firm drive which Smithies did well to parry one-handed.

The ball fell perfectly for Duffy, and Town fans breathed a sigh of relief when his shot crashed off the bar and back into play.

The Cumbrians made a livelier start to the second half than they had the first, so Town’s second goal, in the 56th minute, came at a useful time.

Rhodes was frustrated when his shot from just inside the area was tipped onto the roof of the net by Collin.

But he was celebrating after the corner, emerging from a ruck of players to nod home Roberts’ flag kick from close range for his 18th goal of the season.

Having already brought on Anyinsah for the limping Dobie, Carlisle boss Greg Abbott made a double change in the 62nd minute.

Ben Marshall, Carlisle’s scorer at the Galpharm the Saturday before last, and Tom Taiwo replaced Paul Thirlwell and Hurst as Abbott tried to pep up his jaded-looking team.

It seemed to have worked when Anyinsah smashed home a 20-yard shot in the 74th minute after another fine parry by Smithies from Duffy, but referee Karl Evans ruled that the former Preston man had fouled Peter Clarke before netting.

Rhodes had a great chance for his second after being set up by Novak three minutes later, but his shot was pushed wide by Collin, with Pilkington’s corner hacked clear.

Then former Leeds defender Ian Harte curled a 25-yard free-kick narrowly wide.

Town looked comfortable, but Anyinsah’s shot on the turn in the third of six minutes of time added on ensured they had to stay sharp.

There was only one nervy moment as Robson swung a ball across the face of goal, and Novak could have settled it beyond doubt, only to shoot over from Rhodes’ lay-off as Town streamed forward on the counter-attack

Anything less than victory would have been harsh in the extreme on Town, who will go to Hartlepool on Saturday seeking a fifth away win of the season.