There is a new odds-on bookmakers' favourite for the Carlisle United head coach job.

Gateshead's Rob Elliot has seen his odds slashed to 1/2 to replace Paul Simpson at Brunton Park.

Elliot has overtaken Ryan Lowe at the top of the betting a week on from Simpson's departure.

It follows another victory for Elliot's National League leaders. Unbeaten Gateshead defeated Barnet 2-0 on Saturday and remain a point clear at the top of the fifth tier after five wins and two draws.

Elliott, 1/2 with Betano, is ahead of former Preston North End Lowe in the bookmakers' reckoning, with the latter now 4/1, out from 6/4.

They remain the clear frontrunners with the third favourites currently 12/1 - ex-Barrow boss Pete Wild and former Manchester City Under-21 boss Brian Barry-Murphy.

Elliot and Lowe were also the picks of a large proportion of United fans surveyed by the News & Star recently. Elliot missed Gateshead's win over Barnet with the club saying he was ill. "He was watching from home and was in touch with some of the staff on the touchline," said assistant Louis Storey.

Carlisle are continuing the process of recruiting a new head coach and sporting director following Simpson's departure.

Rob ElliotRob Elliot (Image: PA)

Initial Zoom meetings have been held with some potential candidates.

Owner Tom Piatak last week said the appointments would ideally be in the next couple of weeks, but he added that the process would not be rushed.

Again, United will ideally appoint a sporting director first but the path to two new footballing figureheads at Brunton Park remains unclear at this stage.

Carlisle's predicament in League Two worsened on Saturday when their 2-1 defeat to Bradford City left them third bottom.

They have lost four of their first five league games, the latest coming in their first League Two game under the caretaker trio of Steven Rudd, Mark Birch and Jamie Devitt, as two goals from Bradford's ex-United striker Andy Cook came either side of Harrison Neal's equaliser.

The three academy coaches are set to remain in interim charge into next week as preparations begin for Carlisle's next game at home to Fleetwood Town next weekend.