First team manager Chris Kiwomya was happy with the Magpies’ performance at Brunton Park but was left frustrated by the lack of cutting edge in front of goal.
Callum McGregor’s spectacular finish had given Notts the lead, only for Carlisle to draw level shortly before the interval through Matty Robson’s controversial free-kick.
The Cumbrians then added a decisive second in the 54th minute, as David Amoo placed home on the rebound at close-range.
Throughout the 90, County created a host of excellent chances, but a combination of poor finishing and the heroics of home goalkeeper Mark Gillespie saw Notts head back to Meadow Lane empty handed.
Kiwomya was displeased with the free-kick decision for United’s leveller but refused to use it as an excuse for the defeat.
“I’m really pleased with the way that we played, we were the better team by far,” he said.
“At the end of the day, you’ve got to take your chances and the sloppy goals that they scored are just really frustrating.
“I was disappointed in the first half because we had a lot of possession and I didn’t think we were taking our chances.
“They were going side netting, poor shots to the goalkeeper, and we’ve got to be more clinical.”
He added: “The way we passed it and created chances was very good but that counts for nothing if you don’t kill teams off.
“We can take confidence from the way that we’ve played but we need to be working on finishing for the next five days.
“If we keep playing like that we’ll get points because I think we played better than we did last week.”
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