This eleventh home defeat of the season leaves them just above the relegation places, in what is fast becoming an intriguing struggle for Third Division survival, involving the bottom third of the table.

A mere two points now separates the bottom seven clubs with the outcome of who will slip into the Conference likely to go to the wire.

It is nothing new to the Cumbrians after the last five years of struggle but this season’s indifferent home form could well be their downfall, as only five wins all season will testify.

The irony is that this was a game they should have won. They gifted Camebridge their winner with some inept defending but then created enough chances to have won comfortably, with a Craig Farrel penalty miss the most costly.

Manager Roddy Collins, dismissed to the stands after arguing too vociferously following a harsh red card on Mark Birch, was disappointed with another defeat. “We lost the game in the first half”, he said. “They scored the goal but our performance was a non-event. It was like a pre season friendly with none contact football and I was disappointed with that. At half time we addressed the situation and put an awful lot more pressure on them. Then Birchy (Mark Birch) getting sent off was disgusting. I thought the Camebridge dugout were totally unprofessional and felt they got the kid sent off. I feel for him because he will now miss the Final in Cardiff. We had a chance to get back in the game but missed the penalty and you have to take those chances.”

Carlisle were soon on the offensive with Adam Rundle’s lob being brilliantly turned over the bar by Shaun Marshall in the second minute.

But Ezomo Iriekpen posted an early warning when he forced Matty Glennon into a save when Dave Kitson pulled a ball back from the byline.

Craig Farrell should have opened the scoring on 12 minutes but volleyed over after Jon McCarthy and Craig Russell combined well to create the chance.

Two minutes later Farrell went even closer after Peter Murphy’s ball over the top put him clear but his lob from the edge of the box came back off the bar.

But Camebridge scored the all important goal on 26 minutes. A long Fred Murray throw from the left was allowed to bounce, clearing the Carlisle defenders to allow Kitson to head home at the far post.

The goal changed the complexion of the game with visitors dominating the rest of the half. A Paul Wanless shot deflected off Birch, Glennon having to make a save at full stretch before tipping over a 35 yard free kick from Fleming.

Collins berating of his players at half time had the desired effect as Carlisle took the game to Camebridge after the break.

Paul Raven fired narrowly wide from a Stuart Green ball and Farrell headed over from a Green cross.

McCarthy then headed a Russell cross straight at Marshall before blasting another good chance over the bar.

Following the dismissal of Birch on 76 minutes Carlisle stepped up the pressure even further. Marshall brilliantly tipped over a Foran header and Tann combined with Marshall to clear a Raven header off the line.

The breakthrough appeared to come when Angus handled a McCarthy corner in the box but Farrell hit a weak penalty straight at Marshall.

Wake and Russell both headed over in the dying minutes but it was not to be Carlisle’s day.