A scrappy first half goal from Carlisle United skipper Paul Huntington condemned Albion to a hugely disappointing 1-0 defeat to strugglers Carlisle United.
In a game of few clear chances Albion toiled away without reward as Carlisle grabbed the lead and then kept the Brewers at bay, restricted mainly to half chances, captain John Brayford with the best chance, a first half header repelled by Carlisle keeper Harry Lewis.
Despite defeat at the weekend against Northampton it was an unchanged starting eleven as Martin Paterson gave that side the chance to make amends and attempt to get back to winning ways at home. The only changes came amongst the substitutes with Antwoine Hackford rotated in for Kyle Hudlin from the six loanees and Rekeem Harper returning to the eighteen in place of Ciaran Gilligan.
Whilst Albion started brightly it was Carlisle with the first effort on goal as Jack Diamond was allowed to advance centrally and get a shot away that forced Max Crocombe into a scrambling save.
Ryan Sweeney forced Harry Lewis into an awkward save at his near post as Tom Hamer’s long throw caused problems and Joe Powell lashed a curling effort well over the top as Burton dominated early on once again.
Mason Bennett, subject of a challenge that resulted in a yellow card for Diamond, tried to carry on but finally succumbed to injury on 18 minutes with Hackford summonsed from the bench to replace him.
Brayford went closest yet to a goal, midway through the half when Powell swung in a delicious cross into the six yard and the skipper was only denied by a good save from Lewis.
Carlisle, having soaked up a lot of Albion pressure, hit the Brewers with a sucker punch goal on 28 minutes when Sam Lavelle and HUNTINGTON got touches to Taylor Charters free kick to guide it beyond Crocombe.
Ademola Ola-Adebomi twice went close to grabbing an equaliser as things would just not quite fall for Albion in the eighteen-yard box. And as frustrations continued for the Brewers Powell let fly from 25 yards but his effort was always rising.
HALF TIME: BURTON ALBION 0-1 CARLISLE UNITED
Albion set about searching for the equaliser and began to lay siege to the Carlisle goal after the restart. Deji Oshilaja picked up a loose ball in the box and managed to get a shot on target but his effort was blocked by Lewis.
Albion made a double change just before the hour mark as Helm and Tolaji Bola were withdrawn in favour of Bobby Kamwa and Steve Seddon.
Kamwa slotted in on the left and quickly managed to work his way into a shooting position with his effort going straight at Lewis.
Carlisle still fancied themselves to extend their lead and Diamond forced a full stretch save from Crocombe on 68 minutes with the Burton keeper doing well to get across and tip the ball away from danger.
Brayford was taken off just inside the final twenty minutes as Albion reverted to four at the back and sent on Joe Hugill to join the attack.
Hugill pepped up the attack and looked lively with his pace
ALBION: Crocombe; Nsiala, Brayford (Hugill, 72), Sweeney; Hamer, Oshilaja, Powell, Helm (Kamwa, 58), Bola (Seddon, 58); Bennett (Hackford, 18), Ola-Adebomi.
Substitutes: Blackman, Seddon, Harper, Kamwa, Carayol, Hugill.GOALS: CARLISLE – Huntington (28)
Referee: Craig Hicks
Attendance: 2,247