Then Kevin Bond's side levelled 10 minutes later, sending their 1,700 travelling fans wild.

But despite the Cherries stretching their unbeaten run to seven games, Cheltenham's win over Doncaster condemned them to the drop.

Scott Dobie put Carlisle in front when he swivelled to lash the ball home from three yards after Cherries' keeper David Forde fumbled a Grant Smith header at the foot of his post.

Fight

But sub Brett Pitman equalised soon after replacing Darren Anderton, nipping in behind the defence to poke home a Sam Volkes head-on.

It's been an uphill fight for Bournemouth, who were earlier docked 10 points for going into administration.

And glum gaffer Bond said: "We ran out of games and it was never in our own hands.

"If we'd have been down weeks ago I'd be more resigned to it, but because the players have put in such an effort and got so close, it makes it all the more disappointing."

Carlisle boss John Ward beamed: "It's a fantastic effort to be in the play-offs."