Dale and hearty!

Cardiff boosted their play-off hopes by completing the double over promoted Carlisle.

A first-half penalty by Carl Dale and Kevin Lloyd's strike steered City to victory.

The Bluebirds came close in the 13th minute when Simon Haworth broke through on the left to cross into Carlisle's six-yard box.

Although keeper Tony Caig was beaten, defender William Varty cleared.

Cardiff made the breakthrough in the 20th minute from the penalty spot. Dale's close-range shot was blocked by Caig and rebounded to Jason Fowler.

The midfielder's hanging cross beat Caig and forced Carlisle skipper Steve Hayward to handle on the goal-line. Dale stroked his spot-kick to Caig's right for his 10th goal this season.

City struck again in the 37th minute. Dale failed to get a clean contact to Haworth's cross from the right.

But Fowler moved in only to see his shot knocked down by Caig, though only as far as Lloyd.

The full-back's lob beat the stranded Caig, though Stephane Pounewatchy tried to make a desperate goal-line clearance.

But referee Frazer Stretton then signalled a goal - Lloyd's first success for City.

Carlisle, fielding nine of their Auto Windscreens Shield Wembley starting line-up, came more into the game in an even second half.

But City, having put their noses in front, were in no mood to concede vital play-off points.

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