Lincoln City's League Two title party will have to wait after Carlisle midfielder Mike Jones' second-half strike sealed a 1-0 win that left the Imps' 2,000-strong travelling fans disappointed.
Danny Cowley's side will have to wait until Monday before they can add the championship trophy to promotion.
Jones drove home his first goal of the season after 75 minutes, a 25-yard right-foot shot that evaded the dive of goalkeeper Matt Gilks to nestle in the bottom left corner of the net.
After a bright start, Lincoln were reduced to 10 men on the half hour when referee Lee Mason sent off skipper Jason Shackell for a second yellow card.
Four minutes earlier Shackell had earned his first yellow for a foul on Jamie Devitt, from which the Carlisle midfielder had Gilks at full stretch saving the resulting free-kick.
Chances were limited until Jones decided the game with his long-range effort with 15 minutes remaining.
Report supplied by Press Association.
