Salford City 2 Carlisle United 1: Omari Patrick's goal proved consolation as injury-hit Carlisle United produced another poor display in defeat at Salford.

The Blues lost three players to injury before half-time and then slumped after the break.

A Ryan Watson penalty put the home side ahead after a Jon Mellish handball.

Patrick levelled with Carlsle's first goal in four games.

But Matt Smith headed Salford's winner soon afterwards.

It meant a third straight defeat for the Cumbrians, who remain eight points above the drop zone but see some other sides with games in hand.

They will also now be sweating on the injuries suffered by defenders Rod McDonald and Joel Senior, plus captain and midfielder Callum Guy, before the 45-minute mark.

United boss Keith Millen had just one of his five deadline-day signings at his disposal, with Birmingham loan defender Mitchell Roberts on the bench, but Tobi Sho-Silva, Kristian Dennis, Owen Windsor and Jamie Devitt not registered in time to feature.

The Carlisle manager made two changes to his XI, meanwhile, recalling Lewis Alessandra and Jordan Gibson at the expense of Tyrese Omotoye and Corey Whelan.

Salford's own deadline-day addition Luke Bolton was also unavailable, while manager Bowyer recalled Brandon Thomas-Asante after suspension, with Stephen Kelly also coming back in.

Fifty seconds had passed when Mark Howard had to deny Thomas-Asante, Matt Smith putting the rebound over the bar.

McDonald then went down hurt and failed to run off the problem, Morgan Feeney coming on.

Carlisle broke well on 15 minutes when Alessandra set up Patrick, but his finish was blocked by the sliding Jordan Turnbull.

United got into a few good positions as things went on but lacked more clear opportunities.

At the other end, Dynel Simeu enjoyed a strong first half as he battled well with the towering figure of Smith.

Ash Hunter tried to probe and create for Bowyer's side, but Feeney was in the right place to block a Thomas-Asante finish from Salford's best opening.

That came after Senior had gone down hurt after a challenge and the right-back required a stretcher to take him from the field on the half-hour.

And later United captain Guy also pulled up injured and his place was taken by Joe Riley - whose introduction proved hugely popular with the big travelling support.

Salford then struck first after the break when Mellish was adjudged to have handled a Liam Shephard shot in the box.

Watson hammered the penalty past Howard to make it 1-0.

The hosts threatened further thrugh the aerial strength of Smith, Feeney blocking another Watson attempt before the Blues broke to equalise.

Their first goal in four games came when Alessandra fed Gibson in space to the right, and the winger's cross was put away at close range by Patrick.

United were only on terms, though, for four minutes, Salford regaining the lead when they picked up a poor clearance and eventually Smith stretched to meet a cross from the right and his header beat Howard and found the bottom left corner.

A big away support of 958 - almost half the overall crowd - were increasingly frustrated at Carlisle's poor use of the ball throughout.

Corrie Ndaba came close to a specuacular Salford third while Feeney was denied a late penalty as the Blues' struggles went on.

Salford: King, Lowe, Turnbull, Eastham, Shephard, Ndaba, Watson, Hunter (Loughlan 90), Kelly (Lund 90), Thomas-Asante (McAleny 86), Smith. Not used: Torrance, Golden, Vassell. 

Goals: Watson 52pen, Smith 71 

United: Howard, Senior (Whelan 30), Armer, Simeu, McDonald (Feeney 9), Guy (Riley 45), Mellish, Dickenson, Gibson, Patrick, Alessandra. Not used: Norman, Fishburn, Roberts, Omotoye. 

Goal: Patrick 67. 

Booked: Feeney, Riley. 

Ref: Simon Mather 

Crowd: 2,059 (958 United fans)