Carlisle United only have the relegation zone below them after a 2-1 defeat at Salford last night.
A point for Colchester carried them above the Blues on goal difference and the Brunton Park side have been left to look over their shoulders at Oldham and Scunthorpe, neither of whom played.
Carlisle’s plight was accentuated by having to make three substitutions in the first half as Rod McDonald, Joel Senior and Callum Guy all picked-up injuries.
Under the circumstances Carlisle did well to be all square and goal-less at the break, given the re-organisation that manager Keith Millen had to do.
The bad luck continued when United fell behind on 52 minutes after Salford were awarded a dubious penalty for hand ball by Jon Mellish.
United levelled through Omari Patrick on 67 minutes but four minutes later Matt Smith headed what proved to be the winner for Salford.
In a final blow Carlisle thought they should have had a penalty late on when Morgan Feeney appeared to be dragged down in the box but referee Simon Mather was having none of it.
In actual fact Salford should have gone in front inside the first minute after Brandon Thomas-Asante had a shot parried by Mark Howard but Smith, from twelve yards blasted the rebound over the bar.
McDonald was the first to leave the field on nine minutes following a collision earlier and Feeney took his place at centre-back.
Only a brave block from Jordan Turnbull denied United the first goal on 14 minutes. Lewis Alessandra got away, found Patrick unmarked on the penalty spot who looked a certain scorer until the home defender produced his rescue act.
Carlisle had a good spell and Patrick saw another shot, from further out, blocked by a defender and the lively Jordan Gibson did well to win a corner from which United couldn’t capitalise.
Recent signing Senior was the next to exit, on a stretcher, and he was replaced by Corey Whelan.
There was a fortunate let-off for United on 35 minutes when a mix-up left Salford with a great opportunity but in the scramble that followed in the six-yard box Feeney did enough to save the day with a brave block.
Salford kept up the barrage and Howard had to make a flying save to keep out an effort from Smith. It sparked a series of corners for the home side but Carlisle defended resolutely.
On the stroke of half-time Guy fell heavily and he was replaced by Joe Riley.
The opening goal came on 51 minutes when Liam Shephard followed-up a Howard punched clearance to volley one right back. Unfortunately it struck Mellish who was adjudged to have handled. Ryan Watson belted home the spot kick.
That seemed to lift the hosts and Feeney did well to get in the way of a powerful 20-yard strike from Watson after Whelan had cleared an effort from Ashley Hunter.
Carlisle broke effectively after 67 minutes to get back on terms. A clever flick from Alessandra released Gibson, and he raced clear before putting over a pin-point cross for Patrick to score from close range.
Four minutes later Salford went back in front. A clearance from Brennan Dickenson was wayward and Salford responded quickly with a break and a cross which was headed home by Smith.
A fierce shot from Corrie Ndaba clipped the bar for Salford and in a final throw of the dice Carlisle thought they should have had a penalty.
A Riley free kick was aimed for Feeney and he seemed to be impeded as he went for it, ending on the ground, but the strong penalty appeals were turned aside.
