League leaders Swansea City showed their true character at Brunton Park with a tremendous display that saw them move to within just one win of automatic promotion to the Championship.
The Swans had the better of the fiery and physical top of the table clash with a performance that deserved more than a point against second-placed Carlisle as Andy Robinson hit the bar three times.
After a superb contest, the Swans now need a win at Gillingham on Saturday to get over the finishing line.
And it could even come sooner if Doncaster fail to beat Swindon on Friday night.
Carlisle: Westwood, Raven, Livesey, Murphy, Horwood, Dobie, Lumsdon, Bridge-Wilkinson, G Smith, Hackney, Graham. Subs: Howarth, Arnison, Joyce, Taylor, Madine.
Swansea City: de Vries, Tate ©, Austin, Williams, Lawrence, Butler, Painter, Britton, Robinson, Scotland, Brandy. Subs: Painter, Tudur Jones, Way, Bauza, Anderson.
Swansea gave a debut to new loan signing Ashley Williams following his move from Stockport County.
Williams was expected to start alongside Dennis Lawrence in the heart of the defence with Alan Tate moving to right-back instead of Angel Rangel who was given a well-earned rest after playing in every league game this season. Kevin Austin continued at left-back.
There was also a start for Man Utd loan signing Febian Brandy up-front alongside 29-goal striker Jason Scotland.
Paul Anderson and Marcus Painter both recovered from long-term hamstring injuries to take their places on the bench.
Swansea went in search of a result to move them another step closer to the Championship and the title.
The Swans need four points to guarantee promotion, although one more win would probably be enough as they have a far superior goal difference over third-placed Doncaster.
And with a four-point gap over second-placed Carlisle, a positive result would also edge them closer to the title.
But the side with the best away record in the league faced a Carlisle side with the best home record with just two defeats all season.
Match action
The top of the table clash started at a lightening pace as Swansea won two early corners which Carlisle defended well.
But Swansea were given an early warning as Carlisle hit them on a quick counter-attack as Bridge-Wilkinson tried a long-range shot which Dorus de Vries saved with ease.
With eight minutes gone a mistake by Dennis Lawrence let in Grant Smith, but his shot flew inches the wrong side of the post.
Lawrence did well in the 12th minute, however, as he cleared a Raven shot behind for a corner which Swansea cleared at the second attempt.
Carlisle were enjoying more of the possession with 20 minutes gone before Jason Scotland found himself with a half-chance, but the home side closed the striker down quickly to prevent him getting his shot away.
Scotland and Brandy combined well straight after only for Brandy to see his shot blocked on the six-yard line.
Swansea were starting to find their way though as Andy Robinson fired over the bar with 26 minutes gone.
Carlisle were still all fired up, however, as Kevin Austin was caught out by a difficult bounce and de Vries pulled off a fine save from Scott Dobie.
Play immediately switched to the other end as Tom Butler set up Alan Tate who continued to overlap down the right. But Tate's cross was deflected behind for a corner which Carlisle cleared.
Swansea did have the ball in the back of the net in the 31st minute when Leon Britton was brought down 25-yards out. Darren Pratley took it quickly and curled it in, but the referee ruled it out for taking it before he blew his whistle - a decision which angered Swans boss Roberto Martinez in the dug-out.
Robinson took it again only for his effort to hit the bar.
Swansea were full of confidence now as Scotland fired another good chance over to lift the travelling Jacks.
Brandy was the next to try his luck as he used his pace to break clear only for his shot to get deflected wide.
Graham fired wide at the other end to keep Swansea on their toes.
Grant Smith became the first player to go into the referee's notebook for a dreadful tackle on Butler, while Robinson followed for Swansea for dissent as tempers flared three minutes before the interval.
Swansea were having to endure some rough treatment from the home side, dishing out one foul after another which went unpunished by the referee.
Roberto's men ended the half on top though after the home side dominated the opening 20 minutes.
Half-time: Carlisle 0 Swans 0
Another foul on Brandy 20 seconds into the second-half created Swansea's next chance as Robinson thumped his second free-kick against the bar from 20 yards.
Swansea were growing in confidence by the minute as they looked strong going forward.
Carlisle's Bridge-Wilkinson was booked before Robinson fired over as the referee was having a nightmare.
Robinson, booed by the home fans every time he touched the ball, forced a save out of Westwood with 55 minutes gone as Swansea were standing up to the physical challenge.
Swansea were really stepping up the pace now as Robinson was again brought down from behind by Dobie who escaped punishment again.
Robinson lost his marker with 23 minutes remaining, but de Vries saved Dobie's glancing header.
It sparked a good spell by Carlisle as de Vries had to pull off a great save to deny Hackney from the edge of the area.
Carlisle made the first change with 20 minutes to go as Cleveland Taylor replaced Dobie.
Five minutes later and Swansea's Guillem Bauza came on for fellow striker Brandy. And with his first challenge, the Spaniard found himself booked.
Robinson hit the bar for the third time with 12 minutes remaining with a cross before Scotland and Murphy clashed inside the area; the Swansea striker picking up a yellow card for his troubles.
Swansea were throwing everything at Carlisle now in search of the winner as Westwood failed to hold a fierce Robinson shot. Scotland followed up and then Bauza as Carlisle cleared the danger over their own bar for a corner.
Lawrence met it with a good header, but Westwood saved.
With three minutes remaining Paul Anderson came on for Butler before Robinson was again hacked down by Raven who picked up a yellow card.
