Carlisle midfielder Mike Jones spoilt 10-man Lincoln's Sky Bet League Two title party with a second-half strike that left the Imps' 2,000-strong travelling fans disappointed.
Lincoln will have to wait until Monday before they can add the League Two title to promotion after their side lost 1-0 in Cumbria.
Jones drove home his first goal of the season after 75 minutes, a 25-yard right-foot shot that evaded the dive of goalkeeper Matt Gilks to nestle in the bottom left corner of the net.
After a bright start, Lincoln were reduced to 10 men on the half hour when referee Lee Mason sent off skipper Jason Shackell for a second yellow card.
Four minutes earlier Shackell had earned his first yellow for a foul on Jamie Devitt, from which the Carlisle midfielder had Gilks at full stretch saving the resulting free-kick.
Chances were limited until Jones decided the game with his long-range effort with 15 minutes remaining.