United's penultimate friendly of the summer was for the trip to Chorley to face former Blue Andy Preece's side.
Trialist keeper Dan Langley was between the sticks with the outfield ten in an initial 3-5-2 formation.
Fin Back, Tomas Holy, Paul Huntington and Sam Lavelle were rested as the pre-season programme continues to press on.
There was an early scare for the Blues when Tomlinson floated a lovely pass forward into the area. Johnson just had the keeper to beat as he surged onwards, but he was mightily disappointed when he dragged his effort wide.
Both sides looked up for it in what was an opening spell full of solid pressing, and Harris sparked an attack with a neat pass out of midfield. Garner chested it, then spread it wide, and he moved sharply to get on the end of an Ellis delivery when it came. His downward header was just too far in front of Butterworth.
Dylan McGeouch sat deep as Chorley looked for a gap, and he nicked possession before sending Harris on another run. The shot came from the edge of the box but he couldn't keep it down.
United got away with some loose possession on the quarter hour when Sampson stepped in to steal the ball, deep inside visiting territory. He went for a immediate lob but it dipped past the angle of post and bar.
There was lively play at the other end when Butterworth took it down with his back to goal. A quick spin and cross was just in front of Garner as he stretched to get there.
Johnson was a good outlet for the hosts and he twice made the byeline only to see his centred passes come to nothing.
There was space for Whitehouse as he stayed out on the right flank and he didn't disappoint with a raking outswinger of a delivery. It made its way to Tomlinson, but he was off-balance as he blazed an 18-yarder onto the roof of the stand.
Carlisle upped the pace and Barclay spread it for Robinson, who won a corner. It was deep, and met by Garner, but Urwin sprinted off his line to claim it.
Chorley thought they'd taken the lead on 35 minutes when Smith jumped highest to meet a wicked set piece. It was going in until Barclay got in the way.
The Blues took the lead just before the break when Charters made full use of acres of space and a wayward touch. His through ball to Harris was perfect for a first time strike. The finish was emphatic and accurate.
The Magpies had the familiar face of Mark Ellis on trial, and he was on for the second half with a view to making the move to Victory Park a permanent one.
Garner was penalised for a raised arm on 49 minutes but Sampson went for power from the spot and it thundered against the bar before being cleared.
But the reprieve was short-lived as Johnson went on a winding run. He evaded two challenges before sweeping a lovely shot into the bottom corner.
Langley was needed on 63 minutes when Blakeman plucked a difficult pass out of the air on his toe. Shenton dropped a shoulder and pulled the trigger but the keeper covered his angles well.
Chorley were on the front-foot and Henley found room to dink one from out wide. Barclay got there before Sampson could test the target.
Tomlinson had a great chance from close range as Henley ripped a pass across the face of goal, but he was left with his head in his hands as he somehow missed his touch.
A quickly taken free kick was almost the undoing of the Blues late in the day when Spencer-McDermott was set free inside the area. He leaned as he struck it and Breeze was untroubled.
There was half a chance for Moxon when United responded with a slick attack, but he sent it into the night sky.
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Goals
Chorley - Johnson (50)
Carlisle United - Harris (41)
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Bookings
Carlisle United - Harris (58)
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Teams
Chorley - Urwin, Henley (Scarborough 76), Smith, Wilson (Trialist 46), Blakeman, Nolan, Tomlinson (Spencer-McDermott 77), Calveley (Shenton 57), Whitehouse (Hazelhurst 57), Johnson (Ubaezuono 67), Sampson (Trialist 77). Subs - Green.
Carlisle United - Langley (Breeze 67), Barclay, Whelan (c), Kilsby, Ellis (Allan 67), Harris, McGeouch, Charters (Moxon 67), Robinson, Butterworth (Gibson 70), Garner (Edmondson 79). Subs - Armer, Edmondson, Guy, McCalmont, Mellish.
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Match officials
tbc
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Attendance - 766
