Graham Kavanagh gave Carlisle a second successive home win but leaves Cheltenham deeper in trouble.
Robins remain deep in trouble
A second-half goal by Graham Kavanagh gave Carlisle a second successive home win but leaves Cheltenham deeper in relegation trouble.
The Robins resisted doggedly for just over an hour but once they had conceded the Cumbrians could easily have added to their lead on several occasions.
Carlisle controlled the first half but failed to put their possession to good effect and both Kavanagh and Richard Keogh finished weakly from promising positions.
United's on-loan Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul was brought into action in the 27th minute getting down low to his right to keep out Lee Ridley's snapshot.
Cheltenham were almost gifted the lead just before the break when Alan Wright's long ball into the box was headed flush against his own crossbar by Keogh.
The defender was at the centre of the action 10 minutes into the second half hitting the same crossbar but this time missing a great chance to put Carlisle ahead after goalkeeper Scott Brown had blocked Danny Graham's header.
Carlisle continued to set the pace and got their reward in the 64th minute with a goal started and finished by Kavanagh.
He drove straight at the heart of the Town defence before playing a pass wide to Simon Hackney. Hackney's diagonal ball across the box was spilled by Brown and Kavanagh slammed home the loose ball from 10 yards.
