By Martin Walker
Carlisle won this final home pre-season friendly of the summer at the Northern Echo Arena with a comfortable display.
Although Darlington produced another resilient performance in the first hour, the home side ran out of steam and their League One opponents capitalised in the last 20.
Ian Harte put the Cumbrians ahead in the 17th minute from the penalty spot, although the penalty decision seemed unfair on the Quakers.
Youngster Ryan Bowman, a first year pro with Carlisle, doubled their lead after 73 minutes and substitute Andy Cook completed the scoring in the 89th minute.
Mark Cooper made two changes from Tuesday night's starting line-up as well as trying a different system.
The Quakers boss went with one up front in the shape of Liam Hatch, with Michael Smith coming in for Curtis Main and starting on the right wing.
John McReady came in for the injured Tommy Wright and slotted into a three-man midfield alongside Jamie Chandler and Michael Brough.
Darlo kept the same back four of Paul Arnison, Dominik Werling, Ian Miller and Danny Hone, while goalkeeper Sam Russell and left winger Josh Gray also kept their places.
Carlisle threatened as early as the second minute when Harte whipped in a left-footed free-kick from the left-hand side which missed everyone, and Russell dived to gather.
Darlo appealed for a penalty after eight minutes when Brough's 25-yard shot was charged down inside the area, but referee Ross Joyce was having none of it.
Carlisle took the lead in the 17th minute, but it was harsh on Darlington. Referee Ross Joyce reckoned Danny Hone brought Ivory Coast trialist Francoise Zoko down inside the area and awarded a soft penalty, which Harte converted in off Russell's left-hand post.
Darlo almost hit back straight away a few minutes later when Hatch finds space near the edge of the penalty area, but his shot is stopped by Adam Collin. Hatch latched on to the rebound but Collin was equal to his second effort.
Mr Joyce further infuriated the home fans when he refused to caution Paul Thirlwell in the 23rd minute after a reckless tackle on Hatch, with the striker needing treatment.
As with the previous two friendlies here at the Arena the second half consisted of several substitutions with little action to write home about.
Darlo went close to an equaliser in the 69th minute when a long ball somehow found its way to substitute Main and, at an acute angle, he hits a cross-shot that flashes across the six-yard box and wide.
But it was the visitors who found the net again four minutes later, and with a cracking goal.
Substitute Bowman turns just inside the left-hand side of the penalty area before curling a sweet effort into Russell's top left corner. There wasn't much the Quakers 'keeper to do about it.
Bowman almost grabbed a second moments later with a similar effort, turning to shoot from the edge of the penalty area, but Russell was equal to it this time.
The visitors made it three in the 89th minute when sub Cook found space six yards from goal to head in a left wing cross just six minutes after coming on.
Matchfacts
Goals: Harte (pen), 17 mins; Bowman, 73 mins; Cook, 89 mins
Darlington: Russell, Arnison (Clarke, 46), Werling, Chandler (Stephenson, 46), Brough (Cornforth, 67), Miller (Burn, 82), Hatch (Wright, 46), Hone, Smith (Main, 46), Gray (Moore, 46), McReady.
Carlisle: Collin, Kane, McDaid, Harte (Murphy, 46), Thirlwell (Kavanagh, 70), Taiwo, Curren (Cook, 83), Madine (Price, 46), Berrett (Bridge-Wilkinson, 46), Zoko (Bowman, 60), Long.
Unused: Hurst.
Referee: Ross Joyce.
