Hallam Hope has scored 13 goals for Carlisle United this season
Notts County held on to pull off a vital win against Carlisle United, who scored a cheeky consolation goal through Hallam Hope.
With his side trailing 2-0, Hope waited by the post and when Notts goalkeeper Ryan Schofield dropped the ball to kick clear, the striker ran from behind the keeper, nicked the ball and quickly slotted home.
Kane Hemmings had earlier given Notts a half-time lead after pouncing on a defensive error from Gary Liddle before scoring a second from the spot after Richard Duffy was fouled.
After Hope pulled one back, the hosts' play-off hopes were dealt a blow when Lewis Alessandra added a third to seal a vital win for Notts late on.
The victory lifted the Magpies off the bottom of the League Two table and puts them within four points of safety while Carlisle dropped out the play-off places into eighth.
County dominated early on, as Enzo Boldewijn forced Adam Collin into a fine save while Hemmings then fired over the loose ball from an acute angle.
Collin also saved Michael Doyle's inswinging free-kick, but Notts broke the deadlock when Liddle played a backpass too short and Hemmings ran onto the ball to slot home.
There was a delay in play in the second half when the visitors were handed a penalty, but Hemmings stayed cool to fire into the roof of the net for a 2-0 lead.
After Hope's goal, Nathan Thomas almost scored against his former club to level the scores.
But with Collin pushing forward as the hosts desperately tried to salvage a draw, Alessandra scored into an empty net to make the points safe.
