United were back on the road on Saturday afternoon but it was for the relatively short trip into Greater Manchester to face Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.
Boss Chris Beech made two changes from the midweek encounter with Cardiff with new signing Max Hunt, a permanent capture from Derby, given his full debut. Fellow new faces Nick Anderton and Josh Kayode took a place on the bench.
Oldham had the first foray when Rowe found space in midfield. He took it forward, and his cross was blocked as blue shirts converged. N'Guessan arrived late to shoot as it spun clear but Webster sprinted forward to make a block.
The Latics came again with another attack down the right wing as they camped forward in numbers. Rowe called for it but he dragged his shot wide as he stepped inside to try to make space.
Hosts Oldham had a goal ruled out for offside on six minutes when Azankpo was judged to have sprung the trap too early when he made a run from deep.
Long throws from Hamer caused problems through what was a good opening spell for the hosts, but the back line did well to keep chances at a minimum. Crosses from Mills also had to be dealt with, and Collin was needed to push a snapshot from Missilou behind as it came at him from a tight angle.
Midfielder Mauoche was next to try his luck when he went for it from distance. It skipped off the surface and Collin dived long to push it behind. Two corners followed, the first was cleared by Hayden and the second was brought to an abrupt halt for a foul on the Carlisle stopper.
Winger Harry McKirdy screwed a volley over the bar after he had beaten his man with a neat bit of control, as the Cumbrians tried to get a foothold in the game, and a slip from Piergianni as Thomas came for a challenge was followed by a foul on the winger which gave Watt a chance to deliver. It was whipped in but Missilou got up to clear.
Carlisle suddenly looked confident and Thomas won a corner following a quick free kick with Watt. That was twice cleared by Azankpo, but the away side stayed forward and a one-two between Jones and Thomas brought a fantastic near post delivery from the latter. Byron Webster had followed the move and he made no mistake with a firm near post header.
Oldham almost capitalised on a free kick of their own when Pergianni jumped highest to meet a floated clip. His header looped over Collin but it angled for the corner flag with Missilou unable to apply a touch.
The Latics probed as they looked for a response but they got no purchase whatsoever from a defence that looked strong and resolute.
And the home side created more of their own problems on 40 minutes when they showed clumsy possession in midfield. McKirdy was sent into the box but he put his shot right at De La Paz as he dropped a shoulder to let loose.
Oldham broke from the scare and a low cross from Missilou made its way all the way through to Smith. He let one fly but it bulged into the side netting.
There was no such luck for the Blues moments later when the same player cut inside again. His left-footed shot took a deflection off Hunt and Collin could do nothing as it flew into his net.
And it was almost more bad news in time added on for the half for Carlisle when a parry on the line from Collin, as he saw a delivery from Mauoche late, sat up for Smith. He was just four yards out but it ricocheted off his shin and the grateful keeper was able to gather it in.
Carlisle opened the second 45 minutes on the attack after the break and a run from Thomas took him into the area. His poked cross was put behind, and Hayden was disappointed not to get a touch to the corner that followed. The inswinger from Thomas was missed by the defender and clipped to safety by Wheater.
Good build up play from the away side saw Scougall and McKirdy combine to give Hope room to make a choice. He went for a shot from 23-yards but the keeper got there just in time with a strong hand as the ball threatened to find the top corner.
A nervy spell saw both sides concede possession in the middle areas, but there was better from Thomas when he got his head down to go on a run. He rifled it as he entered the area but a boot from the keeper was enough to make the save.
Another winding run from Thomas saw him leave four players in his wake and he spotted McKirdy on his own on the left hand edge of the box. He tried to guide a shot at the top corner but it came off the top of his boot and skied high into the stands.
United missed a fantastic chance to get back in front just past the hour when a free kick from Thomas was rolled cheekily to Scougall. His cruncher was saved but the ball spun up off the grass and invited McKirdy to head it. He got there, but he couldn't keep it down and it dropped onto the roof of the net.
Thomas had another good run thwarted at one end, and Sylla suffered the same fate at the other, with the game hanging finely in the balance. A Piergianni header from a Maouche corner was straight at Collin, and a Hope shot from 24-yards was also too close to De La Paz for it to cause a real problem.
A winding run from Smith brought another effort which Collin easily took, and a fierce effort from Rowe from 17-yards was blocked by Hunt as he stood tall to get in the way as it arrowed for the roof of the target.
The Latics missed a great chance themselves on 80 minutes when Sylla feinted before ripping the ball into the mix. Rowe stuck a boot out but the touch lacked purpose and the ball spun away.
Collin raced off his line to prevent Dearnley from making a heavy touch into something meaningful late in the day, but defences stayed tight through the closing stages and the sides had to settle for a share of the points.
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Goals
Oldham Athletic - Smith (42)
Carlisle United - Webster (25)
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Bookings
Oldham Athletic - Azankpo (22)
Carlisle United - Hayden (52)
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Teams
Oldham Athletic - De La Paz (gk), Mills, Maouche, Missilou (Sylla 66), Azankpo (Wilson 30, Dearnley 72)), N'Gueesan, Smith, Wheater, Piergianni, Hamer, Rowe. Subs - Allen (gk), Iacovitti, Nepomunceno, Branger-Engore.
Carlisle United - Collin (gk)(c), Hayden, Webster, Hunt, G Jones, M Jones, Watt (Kayode 53), Scougall, McKirdy (Charters 86), Thomas (Loft 90), Hope. Subs - Gray (gk), Iredale, Sagaf, Anderton.
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Match officials
Referee - Robert Lewis
Assistant Referee 1 - Steven Rushton
Assistant Referee 2 - Geoffrey Liddle
Fourth Official - Lewis Smith
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Attendance - 3,977 (573 away fans)