Two goals in four minutes by transfer deadline day signing Rakish Bingham proved decisive as the Stags almost saw a three-goal half-time lead wiped out by former manager Keith Curle.

Curle, appointed boss of the bottom club 24 hours earlier, inspired Carlisle to a second-half fightback that rocked the home side.

But Mansfield, who had taken a fourth minute lead through Lee Beavers, hung on for their second win in five days to go eighth.

Beevers headed in a Liam Marsden cross in the fourth minute after the wing back’s initial long throw wasn’t cleared properly.

In the 37th minute another long throw caused problems and this time Marsden’s cross was lashed in at the back post by Bingham – his first goal at One Call Stadium.

Four minutes later the transfer deadline day signing fired in from the edge of the area after a box-to-box run by the impressive Beevers.

Sloppy defending gifted half-substitute David Amoo a close-range goal before Kyle Dempsey’s run across the face of goal and drive into the bottom corner threatened an unlikely comeback for the Cumbrians.

Amoo also headed over an empty net, but the Stags hung on.