Kurtis Guthrie scored twice as Stevenage beat Carlisle United 3-0 in an impressive display at the Lamex Stadium on Saturday afternoon, keeping their hopes of making the Sky Bet League Two play-offs alive.

The opening goal after just 16 minutes, when Arthur Iontton fired home his first Boro goal after a wonderful, flowing team move.

Stevenage were in control throughout, with Guthrie heading home a corner just six minutes into the second-half, then winning and scoring a penalty on the hour mark – his fourth goal in two games – as Dino Maamria’s men cruised to a win, one which keeps their play-off dream alive.

Boro had the games opening chance when Guthrie headed a long ball into the path of Emmanuel Sonupe, but the winger scuffed his shot from the edge of the six-yard box straight at Adam Collin.

The opening goal came with just 16 minutes gone, and it was fashioned in superb style by the home side.

A neat one-two in midfield between Ilias Chair and Sonupe started the moved, with the former driving to the edge of the box. He fed Guthrie, whose clever flick fell for the onrushing Iontton to drive home between Collin’s legs.

The goal was his first in senior football, capping off a brilliant week for the 18-year-old, after he was named Sky Bet League Two apprentice of the year last Sunday.

Stevenage were seeing most of the ball, and their next real chance came when Guthrie found space in the area, but from a tight angle, he could only drive his effort into the side netting.

Carlisle created little going forward, with Paul Farman in the Boro goal yet to be forced into a save as the half-time whistle blew.

The second-half started with a moment of controversy, as Joe Martin tangled with Hallam Hope inside the box. It looked as if the Boro defender had brought the striker down, but referee, Carl Boyeson, pointed for a corner instead of to the spot, much to the visitor’s anger.

The home side were soon back in control though, with Chair hitting the post from range, before Guthrie forced a smart save from Collin.

However, Guthrie was not to be denied from the resulting corner, as he rose highest on the edge of the six-yard box to power home a header and make it 2-0 with 51 minutes on the clock.

After two goals at Grimsby last week, the former Colchester United man was in a rich vein of form, and on the hour mark, he won his side a penalty after being pushed over in the box by Callum O’Hare.

Guthrie dusted himself off to take it, and confidently slotted into the corner and put the Boro 3-0 ahead.

The home side barely gave Carlisle a sniff at goal, with Farman still untested in the Stevenage goal as the final whistle blew.

Victory means Boro stay five points off the final play-off place, but close the gap on Carlisle, Colchester United and Swindon Town above them with four games left to play.