United were drawn away at Cleator Moor in the first-round of this season's Cumberland Cup competition.
And they were at McGrath Park on Tuesday night with first-team players Ben Barclay, Gabe Breeze, Taylor Charters, Jack Ellis, Duncan Idehen and Mick Kelly alongside first and second-year members of the youth team squad for what is always a keenly contested encounter.
It was a tight start but a lovely cross from Hardy on nine minutes had Charters interested. His run from deep looked like it had been timed perfectly, but it was cleared off his toe just as he shaped to pop it home from close range.
United looked lively and they attacked again as Charters regained possession in midfield. Bollado asked for it after Nugent had taken a touch, and a burst of pace from the forward opened things up. He left Sharpe with no chance as he shot across the angle and buried it in the bottom corner.
Tenacity from Carr put the away team on the front foot once again as they hunted in packs. It was clipped through to Hardy, who had stayed onside, but he sent a low drive wide of the upright.
Ryan Carr showed great energy as he battled for every ball and he tried to take matters into his own hands when he carried it out of his own half before unleashing a dipping effort from distance. The keeper was happy to watch as it sailed high.
Carr pulled the trigger again moments later when a scuffed clearance rolled his way. His first time strike bent just wide.
Celtic had their moments, with deliveries that had to be dealt with, but Kelly's nets remained untroubled as the defence stood tall.
But there was almost a scare when Hammell stayed up the pitch. Hambling won a 50:50 challenge and he immediately looked up to see his frontman on the move. Hammell returned the favour, but Carr did well to recover with a superbly executed sliding tackle.
The home goal lived a charmed life on the half hour when Hardy sent a powerful cross into the mix from the right-hand touchline. Reuben Butterworth stuck out a boot, and he looked on in horror as it angled towards the target. Sharpe was beaten, but it hit the underside of the bar, bounced on the line, and spun to safety.
Carlisle asked more questions when Charters played Park into space, halfway inside home territory. His cross was met by Barclay, and he opted to volley it for Hardy to contest. Butterworth got a clean connection on this occasion to send it out of harm's way.
More good work from Nugent led to a chipped pass into the area as he dropped a shoulder to create space. Hardy dived to head it but he coiuldn't find the nets.
Ryan Carr enjoyed a decent 45 minutes and he let fly again on the stroke of half time after getting his head down to go on a sprint. He kept control of the ball and fed his shot through legs when he reached the 18-yard line. He was ready to celebrate until once again it edged just past the post.
United attacked from the off at the start of the second period but Nugent was disappointed when he miscued and drilled wide from 12-yards.
Strength in the middle of the park from Bollado brought him out of a tight spot, and he picked out Charters with a measured pass. Nugent went on the overlap but his cross was deflected behind.
Kelly had work to do just past the hour when a free kick from deep swung his way. He had a good starting position and he grasped it cleanly, despite being buffeted by Hammell.
The visiting lead was doubled on 67 minutes when Charters was chopped to the floor 23-yards out. He dusted himself down before crunching an unstoppable thunderbolt over the wall and into the top corner.
Carlisle turned the screw and Nugent pulled wide to deliver low at the end of a slick passing move. Substitute Dan Hill steamed in to poke it home as the defence remained rooted to the spot.
Hill was in a confident mood and he received deserved praise when he streaked forward from just inside the opposition half with the ball at his feet. He dropped a shoulder and left Sharpe with no chance as he looped it into the bottom corner.
Celtic were gifted an opening on 80 minutes when Fitzpatrick underhit a backpass to Kelly. Houghton was suddenly in acres of space but he chose to shoot early and it brushed the angle of post and bar.
The home team looked dangerous and a flicked header from Brennan had to be cleared off the line as it fell over the keeper.
And Fitzpatrick had to put the next delivery over his own bar as Hammell and Trotter lurked.
United reasserted their authority and netted their fifth of the evening when Hetherington cut the ball back from wide. There was a scramble, but the last touch of the night came from Nic Bollado as he bagged himself a brace.
+++++++
Goals
Carlisle United - Bollado (10, 88), Charters (67), Hill (69, 72)
+++++++
Bookings
Cleator Moor Celtic - Burns (57)
+++++++
Teams
Cleator Moor Celtic - Sharpe, Houghton, Short, Williamson, Little, Butterworth, Burns, Hambling (Brennan 80), Hammell, Ivison (Trotter 80), Bell (Shaw 80). Subs - Cueto, Martin.
Carlisle United - Kelly, Ellis (Hetherington 73), Barclay (Fitzpatrrick 73), Idehen, Potts (c), Nugent, Bollado, Carr, Charters, Park (Hill 57), Hardy. Subs - Breeze (gk), Swinburn.
+++++++
Attendance - tbc
+++++++
Match Officials
