The next three goals on the scoresheet belonged to Danny Carlton as he completed a first-half hat-trick, his opening strike, to make the score 2-0, coming after seven minutes when he volleyed in. Carlton then grabbed his second and Carlisle's third midway through the half before he finished a trio of goals for the day with a penalty five minutes before the break.
Grant Smith hit the North End crossbar in the second-half for the Cumbrians before Jeff Smith made it 5-0 with an expertly taken finish. In a rare moment of complaint United couldn't keep a clean sheet though as in the 87th minute Preston's Brett Ormerod slotted home from close range after a goalmouth scramble.
So, after a shoddy start, the Blues are now up to third spot in the second-string league on the back of a seven match unbeaten run. Their next chance to improve that form coming next Wednesday when they take on second-placed Morecambe in a 7pm kick-off at Christie Park.
Preston line-up :
Lewis Neal, Mike Aspin, Dylan Adams, Scott Wootton (Mark Bloxam 60), Dominic Collins, Kevin Nicholls, Joe Anyinsah (Phil Appiah 53), Nathan Fairhurst, Danny Mayor (Arran McCarthy 72), Chris McGrail, Brett Ormerod.
Unused substitutes :
Chris Thompson (GK) and Matty Mainwaring.
United line-up :
Chris Howarth, David Raven, Darren Campion, Dan Kirkup, Dan Wordsworth, Luke Joyce, Paul Thirlwell, Grant Smith (Shaun Vipond 87), Jeff Smith, Danny Carlton, Gary Madine (Andy Cook 20).
Unused substitutes :
Adam Bradley (GK), Tom Aldred and Neale McDermott.
Reserve Team Results : Click here
Reserve Team Table : Click here