Forest Green Rovers vs Carlisle United. Sky Bet League Two.
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Tuesday 28 January 2020 23:58, UK
Nathan Thomas hit a hat-trick as Carlisle derailed Forest Green's promotion ambitions with an emphatic 4-1 away win.
On a chastening night for Mark Cooper's side, the Cumbrians stunned their hosts with two goals in three first-half minutes.
Rovers dominated territory for the opening 20 minutes, but Carlisle struck after 23 minutes when Mike Jones fired a ball across the box for Thomas to stab in.
Two minutes later Thomas grabbed second, this time letting fly with a ferocious drive from 30 yards that flew past Conrad Logan.
And he completed his hat-trick just 11 seconds after the restart, scoring from the penalty spot after former Reading defender Matt Mills brought down Jack Bridge.
Rovers were in disarray, Lewis Alessandra hitting a post moments before Josh Kayode poked home a 49th-minute fourth.
Carl Winchester pulled a goal back for the hosts after 58 minutes, converting a penalty after Josh March was upended by Aaron Hayden, but Carlisle were already home and dry.