Goals from Sam Lavelle and Luke Armstrong ensured United picked up all three points in Mike Williamson’s first fixture in charge.
United opened the scoring through Lavelle shortly before the break following a scramble in the area, prior to Armstrong confirming all three points, scoring in very similar circumstances on 72 minutes.
Swindon started the contest the strongest, creating multiple chances in the opening exchanges.
Harry Lewis was forced into action on a number of occasions - one being a tremendous stop denying George Cox’s close range effort from an indirect free-kick.
The game entered a lengthy stoppage on 15 minutes after the linesman on the far side picked up an injury. Eight minutes later, he was replaced by fourth official Conor Farrell.
As the first-half went on, the Blues started to grow into the game and were rewarded with the opener on 42 minutes. A scramble in the area ended with Lavelle getting a vital touch to turn the ball goalwards - netting United’s first goal of the Mike Williamson era.
Jon Mellish had a superb chance to double the visitors’ lead in stoppage time, meeting a header at the far post from a corner, but the defender’s effort landed the wrong side of the Robins’ post.
HALF-TIME: Swindon Town 0-1 United
Like the first-half, it was Swindon who started the second 45 the strongest.
Attacker Paul Glatzel should’ve restored parity soon after the restart. An error in the Blues’ defence provided the Robins with the opportunity, but Lewis made a great save at his near post.
Midway through the second-half, Armstrong netted Carlisle’s second in very similar circumstances to the first - a scramble in the Swindon area. After receiving the ball from Dominic Sadi, the attacker turned and prodded an attempt towards goal, which initially looked to have been saved by Swindon 'keeper Jack Bycroft, but it ultimately found its way over the line.
Following the goal, Swindon looked to apply pressure once again.
Former United man, Dan Butterworth, came closest to pulling one back after rifling an effort from distance off the woodwork on 87 minutes.
In the final moments, Williamson’s side defended well, securing a clean sheet as well as all three points in his first game in charge.
FULL-TIME: Swindon Town 0-2 United
Teams:
Swindon Town - Bycroft, Sobowale, Wright ©, Freckleton, King, Cotterill (74’ McGurk), Kilkenny, Butterworth, Cox, Tshimanga, Glatzel (73’ Drinan)
Unused subs - Barden, Ofoborh, Cain, Minturn, Mitchell
United - Lewis, Davies, Barclay, Lavelle, Mellish, Harper, McGeouch (69’ Vela), Biggins, Jones (69’ Sadi), Wyke © (81’ O’Donoghue), Armstrong
Unused subs - Breeze, Neal, Ellis, Dudik
Goals:
Swindon Town - N/A
United - (42' Lavelle), (72' Armstrong)
Match officials:
Referee - Carl Brook
Assistant Referee - Andrew Hickman
Assistant Referee - Ravel Cheosiaua
Fourth Official - Conor Farrell
Attendance:
6,878 (483 away)
