The Shots opened brightly winning their first corner after just two minutes. David Lee's delivery was half cleared to Nick Crittenden, he burst forward and skipped past the defence to cross, but Gary Holloway headed just inches wide.
Tim Sills and Brett Johnson were also off-target as Carlisle seemed to have little in return.
Shots keeper Nikki Bull came out to clear from Magno Vieira, but the ball fell to Adam Murray who skied his shot well over.
The Shots continued to press for the opener as Holloway fired over from a good position and Will Antwi had a shot saved.
Two free-kicks to Carlisle yards from the area did nothing to help them and as tempers began to fray each side picked up a booking, but at half-time it remained goalless.
The Shots started the second half in much the same way as the first pressuring from the outset.
Just three minutes in and they took the lead thanks to a fluke Crittenden goal from the edge of the area, his cross-cum-shot somehow found the back of the net much to the astonishment of the fans and players alike.
But a goal it was and from there Aldershot continued to dominate and put pressure on an under-par Carlisle.
The visitors had nothing to hit back with although referee Mr Deadman denied the Shots two clear penalty shouts, the first a handball and the second saw Johnson clearly tugged back by Kevin Gray.
The Shots should have made it two when a defensive slip up saw Matt Glennon caught out of his area, but Holloway's shot crept past the post.
For Carlisle Peter Murphy somehow headed over from close range late on, but the Shots held firm to go to Brunton Park on Friday one goal to the good.