Crisis Club Southampton looked to be heading to a memorable victory and delaying relegation for one more week after Bradley Wright-Phillips and David McGoldrick had given them a first-half lead.
Burnley captain Graham Alexander's penalty pegged the home side back and after McGoldrick missed from the spot himself just before the hour mark, Saints' misery was compounded by Carlisle's scrambled leveller.
In an entertaining and free-flowing affair with an atmosphere that did not tally with Saints' predicament, the home side started well.
Midfielder Paul Wotton's tenth minute strike was deflected over Brian Jensen's goal and a minute later Mark Wotte's side fashioned an opener.
Simon Gillett's incisive pass found Wright-Phillips in space and as Burnley midfielder Chris McCann attempted a last-ditch challenge, the ball spooned off the bottom of his leg to loop over Jensen.
Southampton then continued their assault on the Burnley goal and sprung a lacklustre offside trap twice in the space of ten minutes.
First Andrew Surman's through ball had Gillett running free beyond the back four but he almost had too much time to think about the situation and Jensen saved with his legs.
A clever flick by McGoldrick then sent Wright-Phillips scampering clear but his attempted chip was prodded tamely at the Burnley goalkeeper.
The home side were made to pay for their wastefulness as Martin Paterson drew a challenge from Jan-Paul Saeijs inside the penalty area for the Dutchman to leave his leg in the tackle and Alexander dispatched the subsequent spot-kick.
The home crowd were soon cheering again though as Lloyd James broke down the right-hand side and crossed into the path of Jason Euell, whose first attempt was saved by Jensen only for McGoldrick to lap up the rebound.
Fifteen minutes into the second half the Southampton forward was then presented with a golden opportunity to open up a two goal lead as Euell was fouled by Rhys Williams but Jensen saved his weak spot-kick.
With Southampton smarting, Burnley then put themselves in pole position for a play-off spot as Robbie Blake's free-kick caused havoc in the home defence and Carlisle slammed in the loose ball from five yards.