United were back in home league action on Tuesday night as they faced Cheltenham Town at Brunton Park.
There was just one change to the starting eleven from Saturday with Omari Patrick in for the injured Harry McKirdy.
The weather conditions weren't the best, once again, with the after effects of Storm Ciara still blowing around the stadium.
United attacked the Waterworks End in the first half and they created the first chance when Mike Jones fed the ball towards Alessandra. It came off his heel as he raced towards the box, and that invited Thomas to put his boot through a low drive. It had direction but it was straight at Evans.
United played some good football on the floor with nine minutes on the clock with Gethin Jones and Lewis Alessandra at the heart of it. Omari Patrick kept the pressure on, and he won a corner with his tenacity tight by the flag. Watt delivered, then delivered again when the first one was put behind. Keeper Owen Evans punched the fierce dipper high, and it was hooked clear after Patrick had tried to keep it alive.
Cheltenham responded with a lightning quick break which saw Broom send May clean through with a slide rule pass. Collin closed the space down and made a vital block, and he followed that up by making sure the ball was prodded to safety.
More danger came from the set piece delivery but Reid was on the stretch and his header went into the side netting.
United caused more mayhem at the other end when Thomas overlapped before clipping a cross to the near post. Alessandra challenged, and it ricocheted into space, but Raglan smashed it out of the box before a blue shirt could get a touch.
Adam Collin had to dive low to make a two-handed save when Hussey was played into space with the game motoring along at a decent pace. He kept his effort low, and it had power as it headed towards the bottom corner.
The Robins took the lead on 26 minutes when a deep free kick was swung into the area. It evaded everybody until Reuben Reid arrived late at the back stick to smash it into the roof of the net from close range.
Carlisle looked for a response and another passage of neat play saw them probe at the edge of the area. Guy was upended, and that allowed Thomas to take charge of a 25-yard free kick. He went for power but it was high and Evans was able to watch it fly away.
A clever, lofted ball from Alessandra took Thomas behind the back line moments later, but his shot on the spin from close range was charged down by Raglan.
The hosts huffed and puffed but Cheltenham slowed things down to take their lead into the half time break.
United were a whisker away from drawing level on 47 minutes when Omari Patrick showed strength and pace when he chased down a through ball. Evans was off his line, and the forward tried to lift it over the advancing stopper and into the net. He looked to have done the trick until the ball came to rest on the roof of the net.
Cheltenham went close themselves when May bounced a pass off Long as the pair made their way down the right flank. May suddenly had half a sight and his stinging volley had to be pushed behind by the leaping Adam Collin.
A 24-yard free kick from Watt was deflected behind by the wall as Carlisle came again, and the corner from the same man swirled its way past everybody as it caught in the wind.
More good stuff came from the hosts as Webster burst out of defence before sending the ball wide to Anderton. His delivery was headed goalwards by Patrick but it was slightly behind the big striker and Evans was able to gather it comfortably.
There was a scare at the other end when Long sent a wicked pass into the mix. Hayden did just enough to swipe it over his own bar.
The Robins survived loud shouts for a penalty when Thomas was on the receiving end of a hefty challenge, but the referee waved play on, rubbing salt into the wounds as he also pointed for a goal kick when the home crowd expected a corner.
United were left wondering how a free kick hadn't been given when Guy was scythed down inside the Cheltenham half. He was stretchered off, following a prolonged period of treatment, accompanied by a round of applause from the home fans.
Wind assisted corners tested the home defence after the game had restarted, but a strong punch from Collin and a block from Hayden prevented any further danger.
Carlisle also used their set piece situations to try to turn the screw and a punched clearance from Evans was recycled quickly by Watt. Thomas dropped a shoulder and fizzed the ball at the nets, but the glanced header from Loft whipped over the target.
Two near post crosses from Iredale were gobbled up by Evans as the Blues kept plugging away, and a shot on the run from Thomas had to be diverted wide by Tozer as it threatened to make a mark.
A teasing toe poke from Iredale spun inside the area and Patrick almost got the touch it needed as he was closed down by Evans and Hussey. It was frustrating stuff for the home side as the ball came back in again, and it was another visiting boot that got the connection before Patrick could get anything on it.
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Goals
Cheltenham Town - Reid (26)
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Bookings
Carlisle United - G Jones (47)
Cheltenham Town - Broom (30)
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Teams
Carlisle United - Collin (gk)(c), G Jones, Webster, Hayden, Anderton (Iredale 74), Thomas, M Jones (Olomola 87), Watt, Guy (Loft 74), Alessandra, Patrick. Subs - Gray (gk), Charters, Bridge, Hunt.
Cheltenham Town - Evans (gk), Long, Hussey, Tozer (c), Raglan, Reid (Varney 66), Broom, Sheaf (Ince 85), Boyle, Doyle-Hayes, May (Addai 74). Subs - Lovett (gk), Debayo, Greaves, Nichols.
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Match officials
Referee - Andy Haines
Assistant Referee 1 - Paul Newhouse
Assistant Referee 2 - Conor Brown
Fourth Official - Edward Duckworth
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Attendance - 3,088 (84 away fans)
