On loan veteran Peter Duffield - signed just before the match from Boston - grabbed Carlisle's winner to dent Huddersfield's promotion push and clinch the Cumbrians' first victory in five outings.
But it took two tremendous stops from Carlisle keeper Matt Glennon to deny Huddersfield, who have now lost just twice in their last fourteen games.
And afterwards the Terriers boss Peter Jackson said: "We gave away a sloppy goal and had chances to win but credit Carlisle who gave us a real battle.
"It's a big disappointment but we have to be positive and pick ourselves up for two vital home games next." Carlisle boss Paul Simpson, who had to sit the match out with a knee injury, said: "Every game from now until the end of this season is a Cup Final for us but Huddersfield are flying and we showed we could match them and thoroughly deserved to win." Andy Booth deserved better from an all-round display than a night of frustration at the hands of home keeper Glennon. In the 12th minute, the Terriers striker met a Tony Carss cross with a turn and half-volley that the Carlisle keeper fingertipped over the bar.
And, after the break, Andy Holdsworth headed a Pawel Abbott cross back across goal for Booth to see his five yarder beaten away by the Carlisle keeper.
Duffield cashed in for Carlisle when little Brendan McGill beat Huddersfield keeper Paul Rachubka to an Andy Preece cross and turned the ball back from the byline, giving the 35 year old a simple side-foot into the open goal from six yards.
After they went in front, Carlisle didn't look like a side struggling near the foot of the table and Huddersfield rarely threatened Glennon's goal.