Kendal Town and Penrith both had important wins in the Northern League but Carlisle slipped to a surprise defeat.
City boss Dan Kirkup said it was the poorest performance under his stewardship.
The Sky Blues lost 1-0 at home to struggling Thornaby in an underwhelming performance.
City just couldn’t put anything together and fell behind just before half-time when Kieron Parnaby scored what proved to be the only goal of the game.
The hosts weren’t any better in the second half but did have the opportunity to earn an undeserved point in the 80th minute.
They were awarded a penalty but Jordan Irving’s spot kick was saved and then he blasted the rebound over the top.
Hear Kirkup’s verdict on the game below:
Penrith, however, were in buoyant mood after a fine 6-1 win at Crook Town.
With 32 goals in 12 games they are the League’s top scorers and with another hat-trick Luke Hunter heads the individual goal chart.
Crook had come into the game on a little bit of an unbeaten run but they were blown away by a rampant Bonny Blues side.
Going at them from the start set the tone and they dominated the majority of the game, creating loads of chances.
They hit the bar, had what seemed a perfectly good goal, chalked off for offside and missed other oppoprtunioties which could have put them in double figures.
Hunter scored twice in the first nine minutes and Luke Brown added a third on 40 minutes.
Oscar Taylor did pull one back for the home side just before the break but it didn’t signal a fight back.
Penrith gave away too many leads in the early stages of the season but there was never any question of that happening here.
Hunter completed his hat-trick after 52 minutes and in a strong finish there were further goals from Matty Williamson on 89 minutes and the first minute of time added on.
Hear manager Jim Nichols’ view below:
Kendal Town weren’t at their best but still managed to beat Newcastle Blue Star 2-1 at Parkside Road.
They were definitely second best in the first-half after the visitors had got off to a flyer.
Dan Wilson put them ahead after only seven minutes and Kendal did well to turn round only 1-0 behind.
Manager Matt Flynn tweaked his formation, introduced substitutes and gradually the tide turned.
In a big finish Kendal won the game with two late goals as Blue Star’s ill-discipline cost them.
They had a man sin-binned and after his departure Kendal’s super sub Jamie Looker levelled for the Mintcakes.
Then in the fifth minute of time added on, after Blue Star’s Dan Lanning had been red-carded minutes earlier, Kendal were awarded a controversial penalty for handball given by the assistant.
James Bailey kept his nerve and thumped home the winner from the spot.
Here’s what chairman Michael O’Neill had to say, below:
