Grays once more started well despite the visitors having reverted to a 4-4-2 formation, Sam Sloma again at the heart of things for the home side, but this time around his radar was well off as a few early chances went begging for Grays. Carlisle punishing them against the run of play after 27 minutes when top scorer Danny Graham produced an excellent finish from a cross in by Jeff Smith.
The Essex club came roaring out after the break but again some profligacy in front of goal, often after good approach work by impressive winger Ishmael Welsh, allowed the visitors to double their lead on 52 minutes. Veteran Sunderland loanee Graham Kavanagh the man in the right place at the right time as he was able to bundle home a Graham cross from close range.
Carlisle were often forced into defending stoutly for long periods after that goal as Grays looked to pull back the deficit but it was the visitors who missed the chance to make it 3-0 after 71 minutes following a handball in his own box by experienced home defender Fabian Wilnis. Marc Bridge-Wilkinson stepping up to hammer the penalty off the underside of the bar, the midfielder then heading home the rebound only to have the goal chalked off as no-one else had touched the ball from his original spot-kick.
That miss gave Grays some heart as they pressed United back into their own half for the remainder of the game, although the visitors often looked dangerous on the break. The home side couldn't find a way back into the game though and the win for Carlisle sees them face League One strugglers Crewe Alexandra at Brunton Park on Wednesday night in a hastily arranged second round FA Cup tie.