United fell to a second defeat in a week, losing 2-0 to Rochdale at Brunton Park.
Two goals from Mani Dieseruvwe, either side of half-time, gave the Greater Manchester outfit the victory.
Mark Hughes made four changes from the Blues' 5-0 defeat at York City on Tuesday night, with Morgan Feeney, Callum Whelan, Cameron Harper and Josh Williams coming in for Jack Ellis, Archie Davies, Stephen Wearne and Sam Murray.
The visitors were ahead after six minutes when Sam Beckwith broke down the left and fired a cross in which Dieseruvwe scrambled over the line despite the Blues' best efforts.
Dale nearly added a second through Connor McBride, who received the ball in the penalty area and found space with some neat footwork before curling a shot off the post.
United began to grow into the game with Josh Williams providing the width on the right, and he found Regan Linney, whose low shot from the edge of the area was saved by Oliver Whatmuff.
McBride continued to cause problems getting onto the end of Kyron Gordon’s lofted through ball, but he could only fire straight at Gabe Breeze.
Jim McNulty’s side were imperious down the flanks, with their wingbacks creating chances for McBride and Dieseruvwe within minutes of each other, but both blazed their efforts over the bar.
Harper came close to levelling the scores just before the break, but he failed to connect with Feeney’s cross.
HALF-TIME: Carlisle United 0-1 Rochdale
Dale doubled their lead in the 56th minute again through Dieseruvwe, who was played through by Devante Rodney and finished confidently past Breeze into the bottom left corner.
Terell Thomas picked out Linney on the left touchline in the 76th minute; he drove inside but had his shot blocked.
United showed glimpses of promise with Junior Luamba’s bursts down the right and Linney cutting in from the right but failed to create any meaningful chances as the game came to a close.
FULL-TIME: Carlisle United 0-2 Rochdale
Teams:
Carlisle United: Breeze, Williams (Ellis 45), Feeney, Mugabi (Davies 61), Thomas, Harper, Macadam (Luamba 45), Gilliead, Whelan (Whelan 61), Armstrong (Kelly 61), Linney
Unused subs: Lewis, Grant
Rochdale: Whatmuff, Gordon, East, Ebanks-Landell, Gilmour, Dieseruvwe (Amantchi 86), Rodney (Barlow 78), Adebayo-Rowling (Moss 74), McBride (Pettit 86), Berkoe (Allarakhia 78), Beckwith
Unused subs: Burger, Humbles
Goals:
Carlisle United: N/A
Rochdale: (Diseruvwe 6, 56)
Yellow Cards:
Carlisle United: (Mugabi 58) (Linney 69)
Rochdale: (Adebayo-Rowling 61) (81 Moss)
Red Cards:
Carlisle United: N/A
Rochdale: N/A
Officials:
Referee - Ollie Yates
Assistant Referee 1 - Michael Burrows
Assistant Referee 2 - Steven Lawson
Fourth Official - Thomas Wilson
Attendance:
8,014 (720 away)
