United kicked-off 2024 with a visit from Port Vale in League One.
And manager Paul Simpson made three changes from the side that faced Wigan Athletic - with Jordan Gibson, Taylor Charters and Joe Garner all handed starts while Alfie McCalmont, Jack Armer and Ryan Edmondson took a place among the substitutes.
It was Gibson who had the first chance of the game, as his free-kick from the left flank had Vale stopper Connor Ripley back-pedalling before eventually tipping the effort wide.
United also threatened from the resultant corner as Sean Maguire kept the ball alive and teed-up Moxon, who skewed his shot past the far post.
At the other end, Uche Ikpeazu had an early sight of goal but his volley was wayward and failed to trouble Gabe Breeze.
But the Blues were looking the more likely and created the best chance of the opening exchanges in the 11th minute. After Charters managed to keep the ball in play and find Jack Robinson, the full-back picked out Maguire who weaved his way into the area before his finish from the angle was repelled by Ripley.
Ethan Chislett and James Wilson then both fired wide of the target from range after a spell of pressure from the visitors.
The Cumbrians, though, were applying most of the pressure and Gibson's deliveries were a constant source of opportunities.
Twice in five minutes the winger produced free-kicks that yielded good chances - the first eventually finding Charters who drilled over from the edge of the box before the second picked out Lavelle who was denied by the visiting stopper.
Gibson himself was then next to threaten. Garner set Josh Emmanuel away down the right and his cross picked out the number seven who cut onto his left foot before letting fly, forcing Ripey into a fingertip stop.
United were flooding forward and after Sam Lavelle stepped out of defence and found Charters, the midfielder drilled his strike agonisingly past the near post as the chances continued to flow.
And while there was no breakthrough prior to half-time, the hosts continued to push after the interval.
Gibson had a sight of goal just two minutes after the restart as he sent an acrobatic volley following good work from Emmanuel and Charters.
But with their first chance of the second half, the Valiants took the lead. A well-worked corner routine saw the ball find Garrity who slotted home from 12 yards.
United responded well and almost had an instant leveller when Maguire connected with Gibson's tempting cross, only to see his shot fly past the upright.
The goal inspired Vale though, and Breeze had to make a fine double stop to prevent them from extending the advantage - parrying Wilson's powerful drive and Chislett's follow-up.
And the significance of that save would be felt with ten minutes remaining when the Blues levelled.
Substitute Dan Butterworth found Robinson who was bundled over in the box, and Gibson stepped up and sent Ripley the wrong way from the spot to restore parity.
United weren't content with stopping there and pushed for a winner - Butterworth coming close with a shot on the spin.
Carlisle would have to wait until injury time to net their winner though, as Jon Mellish steered home Robinson's corner to spark jubilant scenes.
+++++++
Match Sponsor – MKM
Associate Sponsor – Amante
Associate Sponsor - Aaron Rail
Match Ball Sponsor – MKM
Match Ball Sponsor – Border Aggregates Landscaping Supplies Ltd.
+++++++
Goals
Carlisle United - Gibson (80), Mellish (90+4)
Port Vale - Garrity (49)
+++++++
Bookings
Carlisle United - Robinson (23), Mellish (45+1)
Port Vale - Iacovitti (34), Wilson (64)
+++++++
Teams
Carlisle United - Breeze, Moxon, Lavelle, Gibson, Garner (Edmondson 65), Charters (McCalmont 75), Robinson, Mellish, Maguire (Butterworth 65), Barclay, Emmanuel. Subs: Holy, Armer, Whelan, McGeouch
Port Vale - Ripley, Smith, Garrity (Balmer 81), Chislett, Devine, Ikpeazu, Lowe, Shorrock (Grant 46), Debrah (Iacovitti 29), Wilson (Dipepa 65), Lomax (Massey 46). Subs: Leutwiler, Walters
+++++++
Match officials
Referee - Thomas Kirk
Assistant Referee 1 - Darren Williams
Assistant Referee 2 - Emily Carney
Fourth Official - Benjamin Speedie
+++++++
Attendance – 7758 (622 away)