A cautious opening half came as little surprise given what was at stake for both sides and neither keeper was seriously tested until the 27th minute. Max-Alain Gradel cut in from the right wing and unleashed a 25-yard drive that flicked off Carlisle defender Darren Campion. Home keeper Keiren Westwood had already dived in the opposite direction and could only watch on as the ball thundered against the underside of the bar before being cleared.
The hosts finally applied some pressure after the break and 17-year-old Gary Madine, who was making his full debut, proved a handful for the Bournemouth defence. The pressure finally told on 57 minutes when Scott Dobie slammed in a rebound after Grant Smith's header struck the foot of the post.
But the lead didn't last long as Bournemouth gave themselves a fighting chance of avoiding relegation 11 minutes later. Sam Vokes headed on a long free-kick from Shaun Cooper and Pitman nudged ahead of two defenders to stab the ball past Westwood.
But with Cheltenham leading against Doncaster, the visitors knew that a winner might not be enough for them and after a long season their tired legs couldn't summon another clear-cut chance. Pitman and fellow substitutes Marvin Bartley both should have done better when well placed, before Carlisle winger Simon Hackney lashed wildly over in the dying seconds as Bournemouth poured forward.