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But the home side were in even lower confidence and form, and it was clear to see why they had managed just five points all season.
Ian Kilford went close to opening the scoring, as did Steve Torpey who directed a header dorect at goalie Peter Keen.
Scunthorpe took a deserved lead in the 23rd minute when Terry Barwick and Steve MacLean combined to play in Steve Torpey, who fired home a low shot from just inside the area.
The home side were well outclassed and Steve MacLean double the Iron's advantage six minutes into the second half when he cut in and breezed his way through a statuesque defence into the area before firing home.
He could have added another shortly afterwards, with a quickly taken free-kick which beat the disorganised wall but was well kept out by Keen.
MacLean was involved in the Third when he found himself under pressure in the area and laid the ball off to left-back Kevin Sharp, who let fly with an unstoppable first time volley which curled into the top corner from 25 yards for the goal of the match.
The win was wrapped up eight minutes from time when Shaun Smith, making his debut for the Cumbrians on loan from Hull City, tripped Wayne Graves in the area for a soft penalty which Peter Beagrie converted with a low right shot.
Substitute Craig Farrell scored a late consolation after Sam Russell flapped at a cross, his only mistake of a dependable match, but the home side did not look remotely close to an equaliser and were let down by a barrage of unforced errors and determined Iron play.
Lee Ridley made a late appearance off the bench for his first action since a neck injury, while on-loan Paul Keegan showed some good touches after coming on to make a late debut after signing on loan from Leeds United this morning.
The result provides a welcome boost for United, and manager Brian Laws after being hit by the death of his ex-wife yesterday, but leaves Carlisle in even deeper trouble now ten points from safety at the bottom of the table.