Pools saw off in-form Carlisle United with a well-earned 4-0 victory and a confident display here at The Vic.

Neale Cooper's men were 2-0 up inside the first twenty minutes as Luke James and Antony Sweeney capitalised on early pressure to find the net. And when the visitors were reduced to ten men just before the half-hour mark, Pools made the most of their extra man to well and truly seal the win.

Luke James gave Pools a great start with the opening goal coming after just six minutes of play; good work down the right saw Gary Liddle neatly back heel the ball for Andy Monkhouse who went on to lift over a lovely ball into the box. James then picked up the cross just inside the box and sent a low shot through the area and the ball deflected past Adam Collin and into the back of the net.

Pools maintained a strong early spell of pressure, with the front three enjoying space in and around the box. Neale Cooper's men were playing some lovely football and showing real determination in their play.

James Brown, who was lively for Pools, put the ball out to the edge of the box for Liddle to shoot on goal but his fierce strike went wide of the far post.

Luke James then sent a lovely looped ball into the box for the busy Antony Sweeney - with the midfielder holding it up with strength, he was able to lay it back for Brown but his strike was deflected out for a corner.

With just 17 minutes having been played, Pools were 2-0 up and deservedly so.

Neil Austin sent a testing ball into the box from the right which was met by Antony Sweeney in the centre of the area and he showed off his aerial strength by sending a powerful header past the keeper to make it 2-0.

Despite being two goals down, Carlisle, who had not lost in their last eight league games, looked full of confidence going forward. Francois Zoko was the biggest threat, showing both pace and strength in his play and the Pools' back line had to be at their best. After playing his part in the second Pools goal, Austin played an equally key role at the other end, putting in a great block to snatch possession from the lively Zoko.

Paul Murray was then called into action to steal the ball from Zoko as he burst forward down the left wing and the Pools midfielder put in a great challenge.

But with Carlisle looking to edge their way back into the game, they were dealt a big blow as striker Lee Miller saw straight red for a challenge on Andy Monkhouse with just 28 minutes having been played.

Pools had a great chance to put the game out of reach just minutes later as James Brown intercepted a poor clearance from Lubo Michalik to run back in on goal. But after cutting in to a more central position, Brown saw his shot kept out by the outstretched palm of Collin.

Antony Sweeney got on the end of a Luke James corner late in the half to head at goal but this time his effort went over the bar and Pools took their 2-goal and one-advantage into the second half.

Pools had the first chance of the second half when Sweeney had yet another headed effort on goal - this time though, the lively midfielder sent his header wide of target.

But it was the visitors who went on to enjoy the first real spell of pressure after the break, throwing everything at the home defence in search of a way back into the game.

Jon-Paul McGovern went closest with a nicely taken freekick, curling it over the wall only to see his effort go just wide of Scott Flinders' post.

Cooper's men held firm though, looking solid and determined and they soaked up the pressure to respond with their own spell of pressure.

And as Pools were back on the up in terms of possession at the right end of the pitch, Luke James, assisted well by James Brown, hit a wonderful second goal to make it 3-0.

James and Brown battled fiercely to pick up possession on the left wing, before James ran through on goal, battling his way on to send an unstoppable rocket from a narrow angle into the top right corner of Collin's net.

The young forward, whose constant running and enthusiasm has made him a big hit with the Poolie faithful, put in another great display this afternoon and thoroughly deserved his goals.

Cooper's men, clearly full of enthusiasm and confidence, refused to sit back on their three-goal lead and continued to press the visitors.

Colin Nish, on as a substitute late in the game, marked his return to the game with less than ten minutes to go with a well-taken goal to make it an impressive 4-0 to Pools. After a neat flick over the top, the big striker stretched to send a low strike under the outstretched arm of Collin and into the back of the net.

This was a determined and confident display from Neale Cooper's men, with Pools playing some lovely football. With Man of the Match Luke James leading the pack, Antony Sweeney and James Brown both supported impressively - giving the home fans a real afternoon to enjoy here at The Vic.

Booked: Brown (15), Liddle (55)

Att: 5995 (934 Carlisle United)

Pools: Flinders, Austin, Collins, Hartley, Horwood (Haslam 39), Murray (Baldwin 85), Sweeney, Liddle, Brown (Nish 70), Monkhouse, James
Subs Not Used: Rafferty, Humphreys

Carlisle United: Collin, Simek, Livesey (Madden 46), Michalik, Parker, Thirlwell (Chantler 76), Noble, Taiwo (Cook 46), McGovern, Zoko, Miller
Subs Not Used: Murphy, Gillespie, Chantler