Notts County have suffered an eighth straight defeat in League Two to cap off a dreadful 2016 as Carlisle United left Meadow Lane with all three points in a 3-2 win on New Year's Eve.
John Sheridan's charges continue to be weak at the back and this was the case once again as Charlie Wyke headed in from close range after Notts failed to deal with a Nicky Adams corner in the 10th minute.
Michael Raynes went close to adding a second, but Notts levelled on the half-hour mark when Jon Stead thumped a header into the Cumbrians' net from Michael O'Connor's free-kick.
Much to the shock and delight of the Black and White faithful, the Magpies actually took the lead when Jonathan Forte dispossessed a hesitant Shaun Brisley before firing beyond Mark Gillespie via the inside of the post six minutes before the break.
However, this was to last as Carlisle ended the first half level, Adams being given too much space on the left to send a cross into the box and an unchallenged Jabo Ibehre converting with a header.
Both sides went in search of a decisive third goal after the restart and it was Carlisle who almost made the breakthrough when Ibehre forced a stunning save from Scott Loach.
Notts had their moments too and Rob Milsom should have done better when he was unmarked at the back post, but he volleyed into the ground and into the arms of Gillespie.
Eventually that old chestnut of poor Notts defending came up once again when Jason Kennedy was able to flick home from Tom Miller's long throw to condemn Notts to yet another loss, leaving them 22nd in the League Two table and just one point above the drop zone.
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