Tom Miller's late goal secured a 1-0 win for Carlisle and extended Stevenage's losing run in League Two to four games.
Stevenage forward Brett Williams missed a first-half penalty and they were eventually made to pay by Miller who tapped home the only goal of the game in the 82nd minute.
The first clear chance fell to Carlisle's Alex McQueen as the ball broke nicely to him inside the box but his tame left-foot effort failed to test Jesse Joronen.
Derek Asamoah had two opportunities to open the scoring for the Cumbrians but he failed to make a clear connection from Antony Sweeney's cross before heading wide from McQueen's delivery.
Williams was then bundled over in the box by Miller but the Stevenage striker saw his spot-kick saved by Mark Gillespie's legs five minutes before the break.
There was a half-chance for Luke Joyce while Jason Kennedy blazed over the crossbar from the edge of the box as Carlisle pressed for a winner and the breakthrough came when Miller capitalised on Joronen's fumble from a Danny Grainger delivery.