League Two Tips: Carlisle can continue to climb

• Cumbrians on the cusp of something special

• Colchester can claim a point

• Harrogate game can produce goals

Simpson's side have a chance of top three

Rochdale 3.711/4 v Carlisle 2.26/5; the draw 3.55/2

Paul Simpson was very satisfied with Carlisle's night's work, especially with Kristian Dennis scoring twice, as they beat Hartlepool on Tuesday. Pool boss Keith Curle outlined a few things his charges could learn from the League Two high-flyers.

Meanwhile Rochdale manager Jim Bentley has effectively pleaded with his board for reinforcements if they are to make a fight of staying in the division, like Colchester and Gillingham seem to be doing.

The visitors might even reel in Northampton, who have held third place for such a long time, if they can win here - which is more than likely.

Not only have the Cumbrians scored in each of their past eight games, they have built real momentum. Although they have actually lost two of their past four away games, but with the likes of Morgan Feeney chipping in with goals, they have plenty of confidence. The defender has scored twice in the past four games.

New faces such as Joe Garner and Palace loanee John-Kymani Gordon also want further game time, so there is competition for places during the run-in.

Rock-bottom Rochdale have much improvement to find, having lost to Hartlepool last weekend, just to keep pace with their visitors. Opta pile on the misery, mentioning that Bentley has won just two of his 11 games against Carlisle.

In their favour is a win at Bradford and a home draw with Newport recently. However Devante Rodney and Ian Henderson will need to be at their best just to find chances, especially with the disruption to the backline with Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Sam Graham both suspended after red cards last weekend.

Lowly sides to share spoils

Hartlepool 2.89/5 v Colchester 2.915/8; the draw 3.412/5

Is a mini revival by Hartlepool questionable after they beat the same side - bottom club Rochdale - twice in their past six games. Three wins in seven in total have given Keith Curle's side a fighting chance of staying up. However, with their other win coming against Crawley, who were struggling at the time, there have to be big questions about what sort of result they can achieve against revived Colchester.

Chairman Raj Singh spilled the beans that Pools were actively pursuing four strikers - some from League One - in the hope of signing one. Remarkably the name Danny Johnson has been hinted at. Curle has monitored his progress with Mansfield, who loaned him to Walsall for the first half of the season.

Although Hartlepool are struggling, the attraction to players, Curle says, is that the strikers he is speaking to have other options - but at clubs where they won't start games. He can offer that.

Dan Dodds, on loan from Middlesbrough, has clearly made enough of a remark at the back for Curle to release Reghan Tumilty while Josh Umerah has hit double figures.

They might fancy their chances against another lowly side as they pursue back to back home wins for the first time since last February (Opta). However, Colchester have scored in the last six and are unbeaten in four, winning three.

Fiacre Kelleher, from defence, has even scored while Junior Tchamadeu, from midfield, has joined Noah Chilvers as top scorer on four. Matt Jay is sure to inspire chances, even if he is yet to score since his transfer from Exeter. A draw might arise. Opta hint that Colchester's winning away run might come to an end, by saying they haven't had more than three in a row (five) since 1987. The layers price a win for either side evenly.

Brady's boys need to bounce

Barrow 2.767/4 v Northampton 3.185/40; the draw 3.211/5

Can Northampton find the gear they were in during the first half of the season, or will they slip out of the top three by 5pm? Jon Brady's men have won twice and drawn once in six, which hardly instils confidence that they can beat Barrow, who have found their feet again after a bit of a blip. Northampton, point out Opta, have had a blip of their own, with three defeats in four games - as many as in their previous 28 matches.

The Cobblers have not been scoring big recently either - six goals in seven games - and Sam Hoskins (16 goals) really needs regular contributions from someone else around him if Northampton are to realise their promotion hopes. Otherwise, counter the striker, conquer the Cobblers.

Kieron Bowie (4) and Louis Appere (3), alongside Mitch Pinnock (3) are his nearest challengers as top scorer! A purple patch of five straight wins through September is their saving grace as Carlisle push them hard for third place.

Barrow, meanwhile, have had a tough run of fixtures since their manager felt they put their season back on track with a draw at Salford. Losing at Tranmere didn't help, while they drew at home to Rochdale before defeating Mansfield then drawing with teetering leaders Leyton Orient.

With a last home win in mid-November, victory at Holker Street is well overdue. Can Billy Waters or Josh Gordon oblige? Even if one of them or Jordan Stevens - who has recently started to fire in front of goal - can score, I feel Northampton have enough skill and desire to draw. As Opta point out, two of Barrow's last three games have been goalless draws - after none in 34. That is some sort of trend that points to a point apiece.

Go for goals at Harrogate

Harrogate 3.02/1 v Sutton 2.68/5; the draw 3.55/2

With Sutton continuing to surprise teams on the road and Harrogate's matches reaping a high goals tariff, an overs bet might be appropriate. It worked a few weeks ago with Harrogate and Colchester, who beat the Sulphurites 3-1 on their own turf.

In their past 10 games, Simon Weaver's hosts have scored 20 times, failed to score in two of them and hit three or more goals six times. Luke Armstrong has scored nine of his 10 goals this season over that period. They have also conceded 19 goals and kept only one clean sheet. Perhaps Weaver is hoping new recruits Toby Sims, Anthony O'Connor and Matt Foulds can rectify the situation.

Matt Gray's Sutton might have only bagged two away wins this season (10 points away compared to 26 this time last season, say Opta) and have let in 23 goals on the road - only Hartlepool can top that (29). In their past 10 games, they have scored 11 and conceded 11.

However, maybe the return of winger David Ajiboye on loan from Peterborough will up their rate of scoring chances. Or the arrival of Lee Angol from Bradford will up the ante.

Will Randall-Hurran seems as lively as ever on the wing and hopefully we can rely on Sutton's desire to rise up the table and their ability to earn points against teams around them to assist with an over 3.5 goals bet at 4.03/1.

**

Football... Only Bettor - Watch below...