Veteran striker Dougie Freedman gave the Shrimpers the lead midway through the opening period with a stunning debut strike from the edge of the box - curling an inch perfect shot past the fingertips of Carlisle keeper Ben Williams. Southend, who had conceded nine goals in their previous two games, looked surprisingly solid in defence and allowed Carlisle just one shot on target in the first half.
The hosts' afternoon looked likely to end in defeat until Southend's Peter Clarke spoiled an otherwise perfect performance with an unnecessary push on Danny Livesey in the penalty box. In-form Danny Graham stepped up to side-foot the ball past Steve Mildenhall for his sixth strike of the season on 64 minutes.
The equaliser was harsh on the visitors who had almost doubled their advantage when Hal Robson-Kanu flashed a low shot just wide, before Livesey made a brilliant tackle to thwart Lee Barnard as a goal seemed certain.
But 11 minutes from time substitute Michael Bridges threaded a perfect pass through to winger Simon Hackney, who galloped past the challenge of Simon Francis. Hackney's low cross was missed by Graham, but the hot-shot striker had the foresight to poke the ball to Taylor, who made no mistake blasting the ball past Mildenhall from four yards.
Clarke almost made up for his penalty error with an equaliser, but the big defender's header somehow dropped just wide of Ben Williams' post. The Carlisle keeper made up for some shaky moments with a great late save to deny Dan Harding's fierce low shot, leaving Southend with a long coach ride home.