United made the trip across to the north east to play Gateshead at the International Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
And Carlisle built on a first half goal from Sam Cosgrove to turn the screw after the break with a brace from Samir Nabi and a neat finish from Max Cowburn enough to secure their four-goal victory.
It was a tight start and Gateshead showed first when a shot from distance was parried by George. The corner delivery dropped dangerously inside the box but the Cumbrians cleared their lines following a brief scramble.
The visitors responded with a good break of their own and Miller did well to beat his man and get into the box. He fed the ball back for strike partner Sam Cosgrove but the keeper was well placed to make a much-needed save.
Keeper Shamal George was in action again at the other end moments later when a bright run down the United right left room for a cross. A powerful close range header was goal-bound until the stopper spread himself to make the block.
Jamie Devitt wasn't far away with a 25-yard free kick which had to be tipped over the bar and Miller was even closer as a deep cross from Devitt found him in space 12-yards out. He had to readjust to get his head to the ball and he could only send his effort wide.
Things tightened up in midfield but Carlisle got forward in numbers just after the half hour when Etuhu and Nabi worked space for Devitt. He dropped a shoulder, stepped back inside and unleashed a fierce shot which left Hanford as a mere spectator. However, the former-Blues keeper was able to look on in relief as it rattled the base of his post and bounced away to safety.
United edged on top, and Miller headed just wide from a Devitt cross in a good spell of pressure from the away side. And they claimed their lead when Kennedy stayed strong in possession to wriggle his way through two challenges. He somehow found room to clip a pass through to Sam Cosgrove and the front man made no mistake with an emphatic first-time finish.
It could have been even better for Carlisle when an error in midfield left Shaun Miller in acres of space. He shot early and could only watch in exasperation as his drive smashed on to the woodwork and spun behind for a goal kick.
The Cumbrians controlled much of the second half play and they deservedly extended their lead when good movement left Samir Nabi with half a sight of the target. He put his boot through it and guided a lovely shot into the bottom corner.
Shaun Miller and Nabi both had shots saved from inside the area as the blue shirts flooded forward, but they didn't get it all their own way as Gateshead started to throw caution to the wind. The hosts had men to spare from one such move and were a whisker away as a piledriver shaved the outside of the upright.
Second year Max Cowburn enjoyed a good personal moment when he checked his run as Miller worked hard to create another opening. There was still plenty to do as the ball was rolled back to the youngster but he didn't disappoint with a very accurate finish.
And Carlisle wrapped up the scoring in some style late in the day when Nabi showed excellent footwork to dig the ball out from under his feet near the edge of the area. He did enough to give himself room to execute a sublime chip which nestled nicely in the back of the net.
+++++++
Goals
Carlisle United - Cosgrove (38), Nabi (54 & 90), Cowburn (80)
+++++++
Teams
Carlisle United - George, Brown, A Trialist (Olsen 78), Etuhu (Cowburn 76), B Trialist (Taylor 76), C Trialist (Hutchinson 46), Kennedy (Egan 67), Nabi, Cosgrove, S Miller, Devitt. Subs - Bacon.
