United travelled to Derby County on the final day of the League One season.
And manager Paul Simpson made one change from the side that faced Wycombe last time out - as Dylan McGeouch returned after a spell on the sidelines, replacing Jack Diamond in the starting line-up.
The hosts knew a point would be enough for them to secure automatic promotion and they started brightly in front of a sold-out Pride Park.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing was the first to threaten, driving forward before drilling wide of the far post from 20 yards.
But their next chance saw the Rams take the lead, as Max Bird fired home a powerful effort from the edge of the area after exchanging passes with Kane Wilson.
The Blues reacted well and Alfie McCalmont saw a trio of goal-bound shots blocked by the Derby backline during a sustained spell of pressure from the Cumbrians.
Jack Armer was the next to threaten as he peeled away to the near post at a corner, only to see his half-volley held by Joe Wildsmith.
And having survived that spell of United pressure, Derby thought they had doubled their lead when Ebou Adams acrobatically hooked home after Louie Sibley's strike was blocked - only for the offside flag to quickly end their celebrations.
Carlisle were still a threat though and Georgie Kelly forced Wildsmith into a good stop as his looping header looked to creep beneath the bar.
At the other end, Harry Lewis did well to come and nullify the danger when Mendez-Laing bore down on goal, while Adams sliced wide in injury time as the Rams finished the first half strongly.
Derby would, however, extend their lead after the restart - James Collins smashing home after reacting first to a loose ball in the box just before the hour mark.
Kelly almost reduced the deficit immediately as he drilled narrowly wide from 18 yards while Lewis again thwarted Mendez-Laing as both sides continued to show attacking endeavour.
Conor Hourihane then fizzed a shot wide for the hosts in the last real chance of the game, as Derby sealed victory and automatic promotion.
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Goals
Derby County - Bird (5), Collins (59)
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Teams
Derby County - Wildsmith, Wilson (Hourihane 72), Cashin, Bradley (Blackett-Taylor 90), Bird (Thompson 84), Collins, Mendez-Laing (Barkhuizen 84), Smith, Sibley (Elder 72), Adams, Nelson. Subs: Vickers, Washington
Carlisle United - Lewis, Back, Armer, Lavelle, Kelly (Gibson 70), McCalmont, McGeouch (Diamond 74), Mellish, Barclay, Neal, Armstrong. Subs: Breeze, Harris, Emmanuel, Dudik
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Bookings
Carlisle United - Neal (41)
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Match officials
Referee - Ben Toner
Assistant Referee 1 - Steve Durnall
Assistant Referee 2 - Danny Jarvis
Fourth Official - Darren Drysdale
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Attendance – 31,027 (away tbc)
