Carlisle started a big week of key games with a 1-0 defeat to National League leaders Rochdale.
They follow in mid-week at home to play-off rivals Scunthorpe before a trip to play another side in contention Forest Green.
Rochdale had impressed in a comfortable victory at Brunton Park earlier in the season and weren’t quite in the same mould on this occasion, with Carlisle matching them for long spells.
The only goal of the game came on 41 minutes when Carlisle did not deal with a fdeep free-kick from Aidan Barlow and defender Dan Moss was up to turn it home.
Earlier Moss had shown his defensive qualities when Harvey Macadam looked to be through for Carlisle but he got there to make a fine tackle and clear the danger.
Rochdale managed the game well in the closing stages and Carlisle didn’t really create any clear chances, and will need to hit back on Tuesday against Scunthorpe. They are both on 59 points but Scunthorpe have two games in hand.
Then on Saturday the Blues travel to Forest Green who are immediately behind them, a point in arrears.
