Cheltenham Town lost 0-1 to Carlisle in a closely contested Sky Bet League Two fixture at the Jonny Rocks Stadium.
Richard Bennett scored the only goal of the game for the visitors in the 39th minute.
The Robins had chances, Will Boyle coming closest with a header from a corner which was blocked off the line by the Carlisle defence, whilst Ben Tozer saw his effort hit the post after a good save by Joe Fryer.
Cheltenham now travel to Macclesfield on Tuesday night looking to bounce back from today’s defeat.
Carlisle created the first big chance of the game in the 11th minute, Jamie Devitt found space on the edge of the box before his cross found Richard Bennett and the forward’s looping header forced a great save from Scott Flinders.
Cheltenham’s first chance came from a good run by Jacob Maddox down the middle of the pitch, the Robins midfielder drew a foul twenty-five yards from goal.
Ryan Broom stepped up and smartly passed the freekick through to Maddox, who tried to pick out Alex Addai in the six-yard box, but goalkeeper Joe Fryer pounced on it.
The opening exchanges were even, with both sides trying to create good crossing opportunities, Josh Debayo and Ryan Broom both put the ball in the box for the Robins, but neither were met by a Cheltenham head.
Kalvin Kalala was next to test Joe Fryer in the Carlisle net, he picked up the ball just outside the box and struck one towards the bottom right hand corner, but the goalkeeper tipped it wide.
The next real action for the Cheltenham defence was Carlisle’s opening goal, a Scott Flinders goal kick was headed back towards him by Tom Parkes. Ashley Nadeson ran on to it and held off Johnny Mullins and Will Boyle to pass it to Richard Bennett, who slotted it under Scott Flinders.
Ryan Broom and Conor Thomas tried to pull the Robins level before half time, Broom weaved his way into a crossing position on the right-hand side, fired it across goal to Thomas whose effort was blocked by Anthony Gerrard.
Carlisle came out for the second half and created the first chance, a cross from the left-hand side found Jerry Yates on the volley, but his first-time effort flew well over the bar.
Cheltenham’s first chance of the half fell to Will Boyle in the 55th minute. Maddox whipped in a corner which was met by centre-back, and his header was cleared off the line by the away side.
Nigel Atangana tested Fryer in the 63rd minute, Broom once again found room on the right-hand side, he crossed towards Atangana at the back post, but his header across goal was cleared before it could find the oncoming Tozer for a tap in.
Cheltenham started to create more crossing opportunities, but they still had to be aware of Carlisle on the break. Hallam Hope broke into the Robins box in the 73rd minute. He smashed a shot from close range and Scott Flinders did well to push it away to safety.
Cheltenham still searched for an equaliser late into the game. Alex Addai flew onto a good through ball in the 86th minute, he tried to lob Joe Fryer first time, but the looping effort went over the bar.
Ben Tozer had a late chance to pull the Robins level, his strike from close range in the 89th minute was pushed onto the post by Joe Fryer, he did just enough to prevent the ball going into the back of the net.
Carlisle still posed a threat late on, Jerry Yates struck towards Flinders from the right-hand-side, the Cheltenham number one pulled off a brilliant save before Jordan Forster blocked the rebound off the line.
CHELTENHAM TOWN (4-4-2): Flinders; Forster, Mullins, Boyle, Debayo (McAlinden 76); Broom, Atangana, Thomas (Dawson 68), Maddox; Kalala (Tozer 46), Addai. Subs not used: Lovett, Smith, Lloyd, Baldwin.
CARLISLE UNITED (4-4-2): Fryer, Liddle, Gerrard, Parkes, Hope, Devitt, Etuhu (Glendon 69), Yates, Grainger, Bennett, Nadesan (Slater 75). Subs not used: Collin, Miller, Gillesphey, Campbell, Adewusi.
REFEREE: P Wright
ATTENDANCE: 2,455 (249 from Carlisle)