Cedwyn Scott and Regan Linney scored either side of the break to earn United's second victory of pre-season at South Shields on Tuesday evening.
United started as the brighter team and took advantage of South Shields playing out from the back on numerous occasions. Junior Luamba created the most clear-cut chance when he nicked it off his man and cut inside to unleash a powerful drive which went just wide of the post.
Cedwyn Scott broke the deadlock with 12 minutes on the clock when he arrived at the back post to finish a dangerous cross from Archie Davies.
Junior Luamba was involved again five minutes before the break when he got on the end of a loose ball on the edge of the box, but his powerful effort was blocked.
Cedwyn Scott had the chance to double the lead just before the break when he showed good footwork in the area to make space for himself after Sam Murray put the ball into the box, but he blazed the shot over the bar.
HALF-TIME: South Shields 0-1 Carlisle United
Cedwyn Scott also had the first chance of the second half after United pressed well to win the ball back high up the pitch. His shot from 25 yards was tipped over the bar by the home keeper.
Georgie Kelly had the ball in the back of the net just before the hour mark but the flag was up for offside.
United then made their changes, with Harry Lewis the only player to remain on the pitch from the first half.
Regan Linney wasted no time and got his second goal of pre-season shortly after coming on the pitch, when he got on the end of a long ball forward and slotted home.
South Shields got one back when Hayden Atkinson's back pass was intercepted and the striker made no mistake.
David Ajiboye made good progress down the right as United's substitutes settled into the game, but his cross from the right was headed away by the home defence.
Jamie Hodgson then drove forward on the left and found Linney in space, he cut inside and took the shot on which was deflected wide, and Ajiboye's acrobatic effort from the resulting corner went over the bar.
South Shields had the chance to level it in the final seconds but the cross which was flashed across the face of goal didn't get a touch.
FULL-TIME: South Shields 1-2 Carlisle United
United (first 60 minutes) - Lewis, Davies, Ellis, Hayden (C), Murray, Grant, Lowes, Scott, Luamba, O'Donoghue, Kelly
United (final 30 minutes) - Lewis, Williams, Atkinson, Thomas (C), Hodgson, Whelan, Robson, Embleton, Ajiboye, Linney, Armstrong
Sub - Porter
Goals - Scott (12), Linney (61)
Attendance:
1,267
