In a keen, open match they had to come from behind to save two points.
Rovers looked to be heading for a double over the Cumbrians when Craig Disley volleyed them in front on 55 minutes. But sub Simon Hackney rescued Carlisle drilling in a far post header after right-back Aaron Lescott had missed a long cross from Adam Murray.
Carlisle had set off snapping in shots every time they had a glimpse of goal but Rovers, who lost to lowly Rushden last week, raised their game to match the visitors.
They sent Lewis Haldane on surging runs down the right flank, while Sam Igoe on the left set out to orchestrate the attack. He was playing his last loan game before returning to Millwall.
Igoe had an early strike at goal, curling a measured ball a foot wide of the left-hand post.
Junior Agogo ended another promising break by lifting his shot into the stand. There was more confidence to Carlisle's approach with Derek Holmes winning almost everything in the air to slide passes off to 25-goal Karl Hawley.
Hawley then looked to have broke clear only to be body checked by Craig Hinton two yards outside the box. Peter Murphy slammed the free-kick against the bar and Rovers were happy to scramble it behind.
But Rovers, who had seen the ever dangerous Walker lob the keeper only for his effort to be cleared off the line by Paul Arnison, went on to carve a clear opening when Agogo turned outside Murphy.
Trying to find the gap between Keiren Westwood and his right post Agogo mis-fired into the side netting.
They took the lead, though, nine minutes into the second half. A run by Agogo petered out but broke to Disley who lashed home a 25-yard volley.