United were at Poolfoot Farm on Tuesday afternoon as they kicked off their pre-season campaign with an away trip to face Fleetwood at their excellent training facility.
And it was a good test for both sides in a match that was played at a high tempo, with some good football on show.
It started well for the Cumbrians when a move up the left flank found Alessandra asking for the ball. He took it, with his back to goal, then wound his way into the area before leaving the keeper with no chance as he put his boot through the shot.
The defence had work to do when a miscued clearance fell to the unmarked Madden. He struck it first time but the trialist stopper was well placed to make amends.
Another great save, a tip over the bar, followed as Evans got on the end of a set piece, and the away side broke with Mellish and Kayode involved. A low shot was beaten away as Cairns got down sharply.
Defender Max Hunt completed a goal-saving clearance off the line as Madden slid a shot beyond the keeper, but it was a short-lived reprieve as Evans timed another run to meet a deep cross from the right wing. His header had just enough on it to guide it into the bottom corner.
Carlisle regained the lead just before the break when good pressure from the visitors saw the ball eventually spill the way of Jon Mellish, who had lost his marker 20-yards out. A thunderbolt of a shot bulged the back of the net.
It was almost three for the Blues on the stroke of half time when Mellish strode forward again. His shot was parried by Cairns and the follow up from Alessandra needed a deflection to take it wide.
Fleetwood were back on terms when an overlap saw McDonald stretch to prevent one of two strikers from finishing off a low, dribbling delivery. His toe poke left his keeper wrong-footed and he was disappointed to see it go over the line.
Substitute Harvey Saunders put the hosts in front for the first time when he got on the end of a slick counter attack, and that sparked renewed energy from the away team as they sent men forward.
Guy had a volley saved, as did Hunt, but Morris opened a two-goal cushion when an inch perfect through ball left him with just Norman to beat.
Joe Riley sent one wide from 22-yards as United pushed, but that was it for goal action and the whistle blew on what had been an entertaining encounter.
United boss Chris Beech used the day as an opportunity to get more fitness work into the legs, with substitutes training with the fitness coach as the match was going on, and the group going through a final session after full time.
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Goals
Fleetwood Town - Evans (38), McDonald (og 51), Garner (60), Morris (70)
Carlisle United - Alessandra (5), Mellish (43)
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Teams
Fleetwood Town - Cairns, Trialist, Rydel, Baggley, Holgate, Burns, Evans, Camps, Morris, Couts, Madden.
Carlisle United - Trialist (Norman 60), Tanner (Barnes 79), Anderton (Birch 60), Devine (Leslie 79), Hunt (Lightfoot 79), Trialist, Guy (Riley 60), Alessandra (Reilly 46), Mellish (Armstrong 60), McDonald (Day 79), Kayode (Charters 46).
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Referee - Mr S Barrott
Attendance - Behind-closed-doors
