United were at the Peninsula Stadium to face Salford City in the first round of this season's FA Youth Cup on Wednesday night.
The young Lions currently sit in third place in the Youth Alliance north western division table following what has been a good start to the season for the league's new boys.
But it was Carlisle who took the spoils on the night as they battled back from a two-goal deficit, courtesy of a devastating second half display, to take their place in the next round.
Salford created the first opening of the night when Hill clipped a lovely pass into the box. Dyson jumped to meet it but his header was too close to Robinson.
United settled after the early scare and a well delivered free kick from Armstrong needed just a touch as he angled it into the area. The Blues kept the ball alive as it squirmed free and it eventually came to Charters who had found himself a yard of space. He put his boot through it but it fizzed just over the bar.
Having enjoyed some good possession the visitors were undone on 16 minutes when Gorman rode two challenges to make space for himself inside the centre circle. He sent a killer through ball beyond the back line and Robinson could do nothing as Ethan Rhodes got enough on his lob to send it into the waiting net.
Home tails were suddenly up and a long range effort from Dyson deflected off James-Taylor on its way to goal, but Robinson readjusted quickly to scoop it up.
United had another strong spell midway through the half with Charters showing good accuracy from his set piece deliveries. A deep corner was clipped back into the box by Day but Swailes couldn't get his shot off and Hall hooked it out of the box. Barnes arrived at pace but he sent a twisting 19-yard volley wide.
Salford responded with a deep cross from James-Taylor when he used pace to push the blue shirts back. Rhodes was there again, sprinting in late at the back stick, but good defending from Barnes put it behind for a corner before the wide man could pounce. A high, swirling delivery followed but Hall couldn't keep his close range volley down and it whisked over the bar.
Both sides looked dangerous from the dead ball and the hosts went close again when Cameron Hill got on the end of a real tester of a cross from the left flank. He was just four yards out but he couldn't keep his header down.
Striker James-Taylor sent another header over the bar as he found himself twisting to meet a measured cross from Gorman, and Dyson tried a speculative punt as the Ammies slowed the pace of the game down in the lead-up to the break.
The second period started at a fast pace with James-Taylor drilling a decent effort wide at one end and Charters doing the same at the other.
Salford doubled their advantage when they attacked in numbers as Robinson did well to smother a thunderbolt at his front post. The ball rolled free and Ethan Rhodes doubled his own tally for the night when he crunched the loose ball into the net.
Carlisle weren't about to lie down though and Taylor Charters put his side right back in it 60 seconds later when he showed strength to leave Evans with no chance as he got on the end of a pilderiver inside the area.
And the Blues got the reward for their continued excellent response when Armstrong sent a free kick in from deep. The ball was nodded back across the face of goal and an almighty scramble ensued, with a scrum of away shirts trying to get on the end of it. Lewis Bell stepped in and he smashed the ball over the line with the keeper completely stranded.
Things started to tighten up but Salford created a good chance when Gorman sprinted onto a loose ball. His low pass was met by James-Taylor but the big front man misplaced his touch and the Cumbrians were able to clear their lines.
And United took the lead for the first time on the night on 83 minutes when Tom Wilson crashed a thumping header past the keeper as he made a superbly delivered corner his own.
Having shown great character to turn the game on its head the young Blues saw the game out on the front foot and took a thoroughly deserved victory and a place in round two - already confirmed as a home game against Bradford - into the bargain.
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Goals
Salford City - Rhodes (16, 53)
Carlisle United - Charters (54), Bell (64), Wilson (83)
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Teams
Salford City - Evans (gk), M Armstrong (Smith 63), Rydel, Hall (c), Hill, Gorman, Dyson (Twist 77), James-Taylor, W Shepherd, Rhodes. Subs - Williams (gk), Perry, Jones, Burton, T Shepherd.
Carlisle United - Robinson (gk), Barnes, Wilson (c), Day, Birch, J Armstrong, Lightfoot, Charters, Rooks (Henderson 46), Swailes (Walton 65), Bell. Subs - Breeze (gk), Soper, Leslie, Steele.
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Referee - Mr William Davis
Attendance - 249
