Gary Ablett made two changes from the side beaten by Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
James Vincent and Danny Pilkington were given their first starts in place of Paul Turnbull and Oli Johnson who both dropped to the bench.
The Cumbrians included their recent signing, former County loanee Kevan Hurst but another former Hatter, Marc Bridge Wilkinson, had to settle for a place amongst the substitutes alongside two more ex-County loan players, Evan Horwood and Tony Kane.
After a bright start County fell behind to a stunning effort from Hurst on ten minutes. Collecting the ball in the angle of the 18-yard box he curled a shot with the outside of his right foot into Owain Fon Williams top corner.
But the Hatters were level within a minute when Richard Keogh headed Carl Baker's cross past his own goalkeeper.
Carlisle's opener was rough justice on the Hatters who started the game very brightly. There was just three minutes on the clock when Baker jinked his way past three defenders and saw his shot deflected wide.
Baker was again involved on 11 minutes with another run that took him past two defenders this time he pulled his shot wide.
In between County had a let off when Scott Dobie headed Matty Robson's cross wide.
After the two goals in a minute Pilkington came close with a powerful 20-yard drive that dipped just over.
And on the 15 minute mark County came close again. Vincent burst onto Thompson's flick but elected to square the ball to Pilkington when he might have been better shooting and the Carlisle defence cleared.
The Blue & White Army were generating a terrific atmosphere and they gave the young Hatters a standing ovation at half time.
The visitors came close ten minutes after the break when Robson clipped a ball towards the far post and his cross-shot, fortunately, ended on top of the net.
And six minutes later Dobie should have done better when he shot weakly after robbing Raynes.
The goal the Cumbrians had been threatening came on 65 minutes when Hurst played the ball into the feet of Joe Anyinsah who turned smartly at the near post to beat Fon Williams with a low drive.
And they should have made it 3-1 on 71 minutes when David Raven planted a free header from Robson's cross wide of the post.
That miss was the cue for the Cheadle End to turn up the volume with a rousing rendition of Gary Ablett's Blue & White Army.
And the Hatters kept going right to the end. With five minutes remaining Rose saw a free kick well saved by Pidgeley.
And three minutes later Raynes bravely challenged the keeper to get his head onto Oli Johnson's lob into the box but the ball bounced just wide.
And right at the death County won their 12th corner of the night. Rose and Baker took it short and worked the ball to Tansey on the edge of the box. The midfielder, who had enjoyed a fine game, got under his shot and the ball sailed into the Cheadle End and the last chance had gone.
