Port Vale suffered a 3-2 defeat at Carlisle United on Friday afternoon, unable to complete a dramatic comeback after falling three goals behind at Brunton Park.
Carlisle took the lead on 36 minutes through Georgie Kelly's powerful low effort and scored a second, three minutes before the break through Matthew Dennis, to take a two-goal advantage into the break.
Despite two Vale changes at half-time, the Cumbrians added a third in the 49th minute as Aaron Hayden headed home from inside the area. Vale pulled one back with half an hour remaining, as Jayden Stockley nodded in his 10th goal of the season.
Just nine minutes later though, Vale set up a grandstand finish, as substitute Sam Hart stabbed home from inside the area. Vale were awarded an injury-time penalty and a chance to make it 3-3, but Lorent Tolaj's spot-kick was saved by Gabe Breeze.
Ahead of the game, Darren Moore named an unchanged side from the one that comprehensively beat Bromley last time out, with Carlisle also sticking with the XI from their most recent outing at Morecambe.
Before kick-off, players, staff and supporters on both sides joined together in a minute's applause for former Carlisle player, Joe Thompson, whose sad passing was confirmed earlier in the day.
It was Vale who started the brighter of the two teams, with a long throw from Mitch Clark causing some confusion inside the area before the hosts eventually cleared. Moments later, Connor Hall volleyed over from the edge of the area.
The Valiants came forward again with 15 minutes on the clock after Hall stole the ball back on the half-way line, but a strong block stopped Ryan Croasdale squaring the ball with fluorescent shirts lining up in the middle.
Carlisle had a chance of their own mid-way through the first half when the ball was teed up for Callum Whelan, whose low 20-yard strike was well held by Ben Amos. Shortly after, Dennis fired a shot over the top.
Clear-cut goalscoring opportunities were at a premium, and the home side saw another long-range effort - this time from Sean Fusire - sail over the crossbar as the clock ticked towards half-time.
When a big chance did arrive, it saw Carlisle take the lead, as Kelly found space in the box and shot low, across Amos and into the bottom corner.
Six minutes later, United made it two, as a deflected effort came back off the post, allowing Dennis to finish from close range, giving Vale a mountain to climb in the second half.
Moore made a double change at the break, with young duo Jack Shorrock and Rhys Walters replaced by Hart and George Byers respectively, but before they had a chance to impact the game, Carlisle found the net for a third time via Hayden's header.
Another long throw led to a Vale chance just before the hour mark, but Nathan Smith's shot was easily held by Breeze in the Carlisle goal. The Valiants did grab a goal back just two minutes later, as Stockley diverted the ball in from close range after good work from Ben Garrity.
It was less than 10 minutes later that the game had its next twist, as Hart had two bites at the cherry from inside the box after some fast build-up play, finding the back of the net at the second attempt to give the Valiants 20 minutes to find an equaliser.
Ronan Curtis was introduced as Moore's men went in search of a late leveller, and delivered a deep corner from the left which Jesse Debrah rose to meet, but the defender's header was straight at Breeze. The Valiants rolled the dice again as Rico Richards came on for Hall, with time running out.
Five minutes were added on at the end, giving Vale one last chance, but it was one we couldn't take. A high boot on Stockley inside the area saw a penalty awarded, and Breeze dived the right way to deny Tolaj well. Having been substituted, Dennis was then shown a red card in the aftermath.
Vale remain top of the Sky Bet League Two table, with three games remaining. Next up, it's Grimsby Town back at Vale Park on Easter Monday (3pm kick-off).
Carlisle United: Breeze, Harper, Thomas (C), Hayden, Kelly, Ellis, Dennis (Hugill 84'), Wearne (Vela 90'), Harris, Whelan, Fusire (Guy 84').
Subs not used: Lewis, McArthur, Barclay, Bevan.
Booked: Harris, Wearne, Dennis, Hayden
Sent off: Dennis
Port Vale: Amos, Clark, Hall (Richards 87'), Smith, Garrity (C) (Curtis 77'), Stockley, Croasdale, Tolaj, Debrah, Shorrock (Hart 45'), Walters (Byers 45').
Subs not used: Broome, Lowe, Umolu.
Booked: Byers