Paul Simpson’s perfect start since returning to take charge of Carlisle continued as Jordan Gibson stunned promotion-seeking Northampton with a late penalty to clinch a vital 2-1 League Two victory.
The Cumbrians have dragged themselves nine points clear of the relegation zone with four wins of the bounce since Simpson’s return.
It was a crazy final 16 minutes at Brunton Park as Tobi Sho-Silva put the hosts ahead before Paul Lewis equalised in the 79th minute.
Fraser Horsfall handled the ball in the box in stoppage-time and Gibson stepped up and calmly slotted the resulting spot-kick home from 12 yards.
The game was devoid of any real quality for the first 74 minutes.
But it sprung into life as Sho-Silva struck with his first touch since coming off the bench.
The Cobblers thought they had rescued a point when Lewis headed home with 11 minutes to go.
But the visitors’ hearts were broken by Gibson’s last-gasp spot-kick as Carlisle moved up a spot to 17th as a result, while Northampton remain second, eight points off runaway leaders Forest Green.