Discussions on the future of Carlisle City Council are expected to take place over the coming days after Labour lost full control.
The party was at the hands of a shock result as Conservative candidate Christina Finlayson was elected as a councillor for Yewdale in a by-election, prompted by the resignation of Labour's Tom Dodd.
She received 931 votes, finishing ahead of Labour hopeful David Graham (742 votes) Jeff Coates for the Liberal Democrats (152 votes) and Ukip's Michael Craik (92 votes).
A by-election was also held in Belle Vue, following the resignation of Labour's Jackie Franklin.
The party held on to the seat by the narrowest of margins - with Pamela Birks (775 votes) finishing just four ahead of Conservative Rob Currie (771).
The results mean that Labour now holds 26 of Carlisle City Council's 52 seats and does not have an outright majority.
John Mallinson, who represents Longtown and Rockcliffe and is leader of the Conservative group on Carlisle City Council, said he was delighted that the party had taken the Yewdale seat.
He said: "We're chipping away. Labour no longer has overall control of the city council and it shows that people trust the Conservatives because we came very close in Belle Vue as well."
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