High-flying Newport make the long trip north from South Wales this weekend and they'll be looking to extend their current unbeaten run to three games following solid 1-1 draws against Bury and Morecambe at the back end of October.
The Exiles come to us with a record which has seen seem them lose just two league games on their travels so far this season, with three wins and three draws to complete the away day set.
Having lost just one league game at home, a hefty 0-6 reverse at the hands of Yeovil Town in September, they have otherwise perfected a fairly stubborn streak which sees them sit just one spot beneath the automatic promotion places.
It's been three games since their last victory, but they have steady performers across the park who can make a big impact if given the time and space.
Keep a close eye on Jamille Matt - he leads the club's goal scoring charts with seven goals and one assist, and he has an able partner in Padraig Amond who has four assists to add to his six-goal tally.
There was more good news for this weekend's visitors when they finally agreed terms with last season's club captain Joss Labadie. A knee injury towards the end of the last campaign left him in limbo and without a club, as he failed to secure a new deal, but Michael Flynn kept in touch and finally got his man for a second time just over a week ago.
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Manager’s thoughts ...
Speaking ahead of the weekend game, manager John Sheridan said: "We know we need home results and that's where everyone's focus is at the moment.
"It's no good that we all keep talking about it, we have to start delivering. We completely understand the frustration the fans are feeling because it's exactly the same for us.
"We wanted to be associated with good performances and results, but it's down to us to deliver that. The run of home results haven't been good enough and you won't find anyone hiding away from that.
"What we have to do is keep doing the things which have seen us create chances and get on top in games, but we have to start believing in ourselves more as well. If we get in the areas and we show a bit of know-how and patience in the final third, it will happen for us.
"I'd like to thank the fans for their patience because they've been incredible. They have every right to grumble, but they've stuck with us through games because all they want is for us to win. We need to respond and give them something in return, and that's our aim this weekend."
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Did You Know?
+ The Exiles reached the quarter-finals of the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1980/81, having qualified after winning the Welsh Cup.
+ Newport were originally nicknamed ‘The Ironmongers’ due to the steel works present in the area during the early 20th century.
+ In 1970/71, Newport set an unwanted Football League record after going 25 games without a win at the start of the season.
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Head to Head
These teams have met a total of eight times since the Exiles came back into the Football League under their new guise but they have, of course, met many, many other times over the years.
Today's visitors have become a bit of a bogey team for the Blues recently, with just one of the last eight meetings going our way.
| Carlisle wins | Draws | Newport wins | |
| League | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Total | 1 | 2 | 5 |
Both of last season's games were draws, with the December trip to Rodney Parade seeing the sides having to settle for a share of the spoils off the back of a 3-3 stalemate. Luke Joyce sparked a much better second half for United when he scored from very close range immediately after the break, but it was nip and tuck and strikes from Tom Miller and Kelvin Etuhu were needed to make sure Carlisle had something to show for their efforts.
Watch the highlights from that game here ...
The league season ended when these two came together in May right here on our own patch. Mark Ellis put us ahead with less than a quarter of an hour gone, but Padraig Amond restored parity just before the break, and that was just about that as the teams played their way to full time and a well earned summer break.
Watch the highlights from that game here ...
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Man in the middle
Our referee for this game is Mr Chris Sarginson. Mr Sarginson has taken charge of 12 games so far this season and has shown 34 yellow cards, but has left the red card firmly in his pocket.
We saw him three times last season, with our first meeting with him for our Tuesday night away game at Luton last November. The home side scored twice in the first half and once after the break to take a 3-0 win, and Hallam Hope, Luke Joyce and Danny Grainger had their names taken for the Blues.
He was here at Brunton Park in January when a first goal for the club for Sam Cosgrove earned us a 1-0 victory over Crewe. Richie Bennett's name was the only one taken for the home side that day.
The last time we met was for our February away day in Barnet. The Bees took the lead just after the break but Ashley Nadesan [2] and Richie Bennett [1] came off the bench to change the game and make sure United went away with a valuable three points. Richie Bennett also went in the book late in the game.
Referee – Chris Sarginson
Assistant Referee 1 – Helen Byrne
Assistant Referee 2 – Barry Gordon
Fourth Official – Paul Brown
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Ticket information
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