United wrapped up the month of October with a trip to the Sixfields Stadium to face Northampton Town.
Manager Keith Millen took charge of the side for the first time and he made one change to the starting line-up from last weekend with right-back Kelvin Mellor, back from his recent injury, in for Joe Riley.
United showed early promise when Dickenson stepped in to make a challenge deep inside the home half. He then used Clough, who neatly touched it to Gibson. Mellor overlapped but he was stopped in his tracks by McGowan, who was able to sweep it clear.
A mistake by McGowan moments later meant Alessandra was able to release Clough through the middle, as he stepped back from an offside position. Mellish shouted for it, but his effort from long-range was charged down. Guy latched onto the loose pieces but his left-footed swipe was high and well wide.
It was a good start from the visitors and Armer went on a run down the left flank, in support of a touch from Alessandra. His cross from the byeline was gathered in by Gibson, but his stinger on the turn was blocked.
The resulting corner from Clough was half-cleared, but Dickenson showed good pace to create room for a delivery. He didn't disappoint, with a low drilled half volley that screamed across the face of the target. McDonald met it at the far post but Guthrie lunged to get there and send it behind. The blue shirts wanted a penalty but the officials showed no interest.
Another unforced Northampton error presented Alessandra with a chance to get forward. He beat his man, but a boot got in the way of his snapshot as he reached the edge of the area. The set piece routine was quickly taken, and Clough fed it on for Alessandra to chase. He volleyed on the stretch but it was always going wide.
The Cobblers showed as an attacking force on 19 minutes when they passed the ball down the left flank. Flores crossed, and Horsfall jumped high to meet it at the back stick. His header looped high and dropped behind the target.
Wide man Brennan Dickenson limped off the field after falling heavily having won a strong tackle on the halfway line, and Tristan Abrahams was brought into the fray.
Aaron McGowan suffered the same fate, with both teams forced into earlier than scheduled substitutions.
Flowing football from United took them from back to front at the restart with Armer involved at the beginning and end of the move. Mellish, Abrahams and Alessandra played their part, and it was Mellish who scuffed his shot as he put his boot through it.
There was a flurry of activity at the Carlisle end when Flores found Revan with time to consider his options. The delivery went deep and Pinnock was there to crack off a volley. Mellor did well to get his body in the way.
Good away football was on show again on 38 minutes when Armer arrived late to join the attack. A cross on the sprint brought a clearance from Guthrie. Mellor got there first, and another measured pass invited Alessandra to leap. It was a powerful six-yard header but the striker couldn't keep it down.
All of the solid work was undone on 41 minutes when the hosts broke in numbers after Clough had been bundled off the ball in the centre circle. Koiki Bounced it off Pinnock, and he was suddenly inside the box. A devastating grasscutter was picked off by Lewis, who slid it in from just three-yards out.
The Cobblers showed first after the break with a ball over the top from Sowerby. Lewis set himself to volley from distance but Howard was equal to it, and he gathered it in comfortably.
Another long ball forward found Etete, after he'd shrugged Whelan out of the way. He opted to shoot from the edge of the area and it sailed over the bar.
Sowerby was more advanced for the next attack and he found himself beyond the back line as he combined with Pinnock. It needed a touch from Mellor to prevent Etete from tapping it in.
A free kick from deep eventually fell the way of Horsfall as it pinged around in the box, and he showed awareness when he invited Guthrie to strike. It whipped just past the upright.
Lewis was gifted his second goal on 57 minutes when a wayward pass from Mellish put his side on their heels and pulled them completely out of shape. Guy tried to recover, but he was caught off-balance and Etete couldn't believe his luck as he stepped into the box with the ball at his feet. He had Sowerby and Lewis up in support, and he put it on a plate for his fellow forward who was enjoyed plenty of time and space as he picked his spot.
There was controversy on 66 minutes when a fizzed cross from Etete brushed past Armer, who had pulled his arms into his body. The assistant referee waved frantically, and an extremely harsh spot kick was awarded. Paul Lewis confidently completed his hat-trick.
Northampton looked confident and there was defending to do as crosses came from left and right.
A long throw from Riley was cleared to the 18-yard line by Guthrie as the clock ticked down, but Clough leaned back as he connected and it climbed from the moment it left his laces.
Mampala was wayward in time added on when he unleashed one from distance, and the hosts slowed things down as they saw the game out to collect the three points.
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Goals
Northampton Town - Lewis (41, 57, 67 pen)
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Bookings
Carlisle United - Armer (66), Guy (82)
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Teams
Northampton Town - Roberts, McGowan (Revan 30), Sowerby, Guthrie, Horsfall (c), Lewis, Pinnock, Koiki, Flores (Kabamba 73), McWilliams (Rose 76), Etete. Subs - Woods (gk), Pollock, Ashley-Seal, Dyche.
Carlisle United - Howard, Mellor (Riley 76), McDonald, Whelan, Armer, Guy (c), Mellish, Dickenson (Abrahams 27), Clough, Alessandra (Mampala 65), Gibson. Subs - Jensen (gk), Charters, Feeney, Young.
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Match officials
Referee - Ollie Yates
Assistant Referee 1 - Aaron Farmer
Assistant Referee 2 - Matthew Wilkes
Fourth Official - Greg Read
Observer - Philip Joslin
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Attendance - 4,909 (288)