Carlisle’s depressing run continued with another defeat and mounting worries over the advances being made by Oldham Athletic.
For while United were slipping to a 3-1 home defeat to Port Vale, Oldham were beating Bristol Rovers 2-1 at Boundary Park.
The results left Oldham just two points behind United with a game in hand as the battle to avoid the drop intensifies.
Basement club Scunthorpe also won, 1-0 at home to Walsall and that was the only good news of the night as the Saddlers currently look in worse shape than any of the bottom three.
Even the introduction of five transfer deadline signings – two to start and three on the bench – could not lift Carlisle
Strikers Tobi Sho-Silva and Owen Windsor started the game with fellow new arrivals Jamie Devitt, Mitchell Roberts and Kristian Dennis on the bench. Only Roberts did not see any action.
It could hardly have been any worse for Carlisle when they conceded inside the first minute.
Joe Riley gave the ball away and James Wilson was alert, playing the ball through to David Worrall who drilled the ball into the far corner.
On 15 minutes Wilson had the chance of a second but his half-volley from inside the area was well dealt with by keeper Mark Howard.
Carlisle had created very little in the opening stages but only needed one chance to level the game.
In the 21st minute a low cross in from the left by Tyrese Omotoye missed everybody in the area but Owen Windsor had followed in at pace to drill the ball home.
United had a particularly good period of sustained spell of pressure just before the half hour but couldn’t really get in a telling blow on goal.
Indeed Port Vale went closer themselves when they got moving forward again with some purpose. Ben Garrity tried to lift one in from 25 yards but saw it drop just over the bar.
Mark Howard was involved twice in quick succession. He saved on 36 minutes from the lively Wilson and the same player curled another in from just outside the area which the home keeper pouched cleanly.
Windsor could have had a second after a clever, tight turn but his shot cleared the bar.
But it was Vale who regained the lead after 43 minutes. Wilson collected a pass from Chris Hussey’s ball in the middle of the box and although his initial shot was knocked down by Howard the Vale striker reacted quickest to drive in the rebound.
After a messy start to the second half Vale could have had a third. Worrall speared a great free kick into the box but Kian Harratt couldn’t capitalise and his shot was saved at close range.
There might have been an own goal from the Valiants to pull United level. A Jordan Gibson cross was difficult to clear and centre back Walker saw his header drop harmlessly over the bar.
Kristian Dennis joined the action on 78 minutes for his United debut but the hosts were soon 3-1 down.
Riley was wayward again with as pass inside and David Amoo, a former United player, collected calmly and went on to steer past Howard. It had been great pressing from Amoo who was rewarded with a well-taken goal.
There could even have been four in the closing stages when Wilson got on the end of a Hussey cross but his header was glanced just wide.
