Carlisle United were defeated 1-0 by Eastleigh in a difficult afternoon at the Silverlake Stadium.
Aaron Blair's first-half strike was the difference as United struggled to get to grips with the Hampshire out.
Head Coach Rob Elliot made two changes from the draw against Forest Green Rovers, with Cameron Harper coming in for Morgan Feeney and Leo Duru replacing Brad Nicholson in the starting line-up.
United started brightly, with Micah Obiero driving into the penalty area, but he could only guide his effort wide of the far post.
Blair caused Ryan Galvin problems early on, latching onto a hooked ball forwards and sending a shot high over Adam Desbois' crossbar.
The ball was worked to David Ajiboye on the left of the Spitfires' penalty area, and he slid through Obiero, who saw his strike deflected into the arms of Josh Jefferies.
Harry Sidwell may feel he should have given the hosts the lead in the 23rd minute when he was left free at the back post to fire a volley from Josh Lundstram's cross at goal, but it was off target.
Blair gave Eastleigh the lead in the 44th minute, diverting Lundstram's low cross from the left past Debois' outstretched arms.
HALF-TIME: Eastleigh 1-0 Carlisle United
Stephen Wearne looked to ignite United into life when his neat pass and move with Duru culminated in a shot which flew over the crossbar.
Desbois made a superb reaction save to deny Jordan Cousins' header from a set-piece after he had crashed the six-yard box.
Miguel Azeez nearly diverted Harry Sidwell's wicked delivery into his own net as the ball spun just over the crossbar.
Harvey Ghandour was quickest to react to a loose ball on the edge of the United penalty area, but his shot on the turn was off target.
Strong hold-up play found Wearne, who played it to a free Junior Luamba at the back post, but he dragged his strike wide.
Dion Rankine sent a whipped effort high and wide as the hosts attempted to put the game to bed.
Elliot's side tried to pull a goal back late, with Oibero given the chance to shoot on the turn inside the penalty area but he could only find the side netting.
FULL-TIME: Eastleigh 1-0 Carlisle United
Teams:
Eastleigh: Jeffers, Sidwell, Eweka, Dickov, Lundstram, Blair (Stone 89), Akoto (Rankine 36), Dobson-Ventura, Ghandour (Randall 78), Cousins, Johnson
Not used: Searle, Duku, Bakare, Underhill
Carlisle United: Desbois, Harper (Wearne 46), Bunker, Azeez, Ajiboye (Luamba 46), Kelly (C), Galvin, Duru (Williams 70), Ellis (Richardson 81), Obiero, Jenks (Whelan 81)
Not used: Mair, Rafferty
Goals:
Eastleigh: (Blair 44)
Carlisle United: N/A
Yellow cards:
Eastleigh: N/A
Carlisle United: (Desbois 60) (Azeez 65)
Red cards:
Eastleigh: N/A
Carlisle United: N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Ben Atkinson
Assistant Referee 1 - Mark Senior
Assistant Referee 2 - Stuart Kane
Fourth Official - Kai Morgan
Attendance:
1822 (402 away)
