Barrow AFC 1 Carlisle United 2: Carlisle United claimed Cumbrian bragging rights and took another big step towards League Two safety with victory at Barrow.

Jordan Gibson and Kristian Dennis hit the goals as Paul Simpson's side prevailed at Holker Street.

Ollie Banks pulled one back for the hosts - but United are now 12 points above the relegation zone.

In front of a 4,658 crowd including 612 Carlisle fans - Barrow's biggest home league crowd since 1969 - Carlisle struck first when Gibson fired impressively past Paul Farman midway through the first half.

Dennis then doubled the lead on 72 minutes, pouncing to net his first goal for the club.

News and Star: Jordan Gibson celebratesJordan Gibson celebrates

Banks reduced Barrow's deficit shortly afterwards, but Carlisle survived further Bluebirds pressure to record a fifth win in six under Paul Simpson.

Barrow remain fourth bottom and six points above the relegation zone.

Carlisle's remarkable revival under Simpson was also helped by results elsewhere, with United now in with a great chance of securing their League Two status.

United boss Simpson made three changes to the side that faced Newport on Tuesday, with recalls for Dennis, Jack Armer and Jon Mellish at the expense of Tobi Sho-Silva, Mitch Roberts and Rod McDonald.

Magnus Norman was missing from the squad through illness, meanwhile, with teenage keeper Gabe Breeze stepping up to the bench.

Barrow manager Mark Cooper made one change, with the suspended Tom Beadling replaced by Tom White in midfield.

An opening spell low on quality unfolded, with Dennis having a shot blocked for Carlisle amid lots of direct and percentage football.

It was the hosts who created the best early opening in the 13th minute, when Patrick Brough picked out Josh Gordon but the Barrow frontman headed wide.

News and Star: Carlisle celebrateCarlisle celebrate

Carlisle then suffered an injury blow when Callum Guy was hurt after a 50-50 challenge wit Tom White, failing to run it off and being substituted.

He later reappeared pitchside on crutches with Simpson saying the skipper had injured his knee.

Corey Whelan took Guy's place in midfield and the captain's armband, and later, a dipping Jack Armer cross forced Barrow's ex-Blues keeper Paul Farman to tip over his bar.

Carlisle were closing Barrow down as the home side tried to play from the back - and on 32 minutes United pounced to score.

Gibson drove through midfield and linked with Patrick, before sending an excellent shot across Farman from the right.

It was his eighth goal of the season, and only a marginally overhit pass denied Dennis the chance of a second after United again pounced on some sloppy Barrow play.

Brennan Dickenson then fired over the bar after forcing his way into the box.

At the other end, Carlisle then had keeper Mark Howard to thank for keeping their lead intact, as he saved at point-blank range from former Blues defender Brough, after Aaron Amadi-Holloway had helped the ball on from a free-kick.

News and Star: Callum Guy went off injured in the first halfCallum Guy went off injured in the first half

Barrow then applied a strong spell of pressure early in the second half, with Matt Platt coming close to a leveller when he headed a John Rooney free-kick against the bar.

From the rebound, a cross almost set up Niall Canavan, while Rooney tested Howard from further set-piece deliveries.

Simpson sent on Danny Devine for Armer on the hour mark, moving Dickenson to the left of defence, as a Brough cross was glanced wide by Amadi-Holloway for Barrow.

Home boss Cooper made two changes on 72 minutes, Remeao Hutton and Jordan Stevens coming on, but soon after saw his side go two behind.

Carlisle pounced on indecision at the Barrow back, Dennis nipping in to turn the ball past Farman for his first United goal and then leaping into the away section to celebrate.

News and Star: Kristian Dennis hits the winner for UnitedKristian Dennis hits the winner for United

It seemed a commanding lead - but it was halved two minutes later when Howard struggled to deal with a Barrow corner and Banks fired into the top corner.

Gordon miskicked when a cross fell his way as Cooper's men applied pressure in search of a leveller.

Banks was next to try his luck for Barrow, but his low free-kick from 35 yards was heading wide as Howard touched it behind for a corner.

Rooney wasted a late free-kick for the hosts as Carlisle secured the victory before celebrating a big victory in front of their travelling fans in south Cumbria.

It was the first time an away side has won when Barrow have faced Carlisle in the league since 1962.

Barrow: Farman, Gotts, Platt, Canavan, Brough, Glennon (Stevens 72), Banks, White (Hutton 72), Rooney, Amadi-Holloway (Sea 76), Gordon. Not used: J Jones, Taylor, Wakeling.

Goal: Banks 78.

Booked: Farman, Rooney.

Carlisle: Howard, Simeu, Feeney, Mellish, Riley, Armer (Devine 59), Guy (Whelan 19), Dickenson, Gibson, Patrick, Dennis. Not used: Breeze, McDonald, Alessandra, Sho-Silva, Omotoye.

Goals: Gibson 32, Dennis 75.

Booked: Mellish, Dickenson.

Ref: Bobby Madley.

Crowd: 4,658 (612 Carlisle fans)