TOWN had to make do with a point after letting slip a two-goal lead in the last 20 minures.
Peter Clarke put them ahead with a close-range shot in the 24th minute, and after Nathan Clarke hit the bar, Scott Arfield doubled the lead with a low drive in the 63rd.
Carlisle, having earlier hit a post through Ben Marshall, responded with substitute Francois Zoko's close-range header in the 71st minute.
And on-loan Manchester United defender James Chester headed an 82nd-minute equaliser from ex-Town man James Berrett's corner.
On-loan Hull midfielder Kevin Kilbane made his debut for Town.
