Goals from player-boss Chris Brass and Richard Cooper clinched victory for York and ended Carlisle's four-match unbeaten run.
Brass gave York a 29th-minute lead, diverting Richard Hope's header past Carlisle keeper Matt Glennon.
Cooper sealed the win on 49 minutes, finishing coolly after being played in by Lee Nogan.
Carlisle's best chance saw Matt Fryatt's goal-bound header deflect over the bar off defender Dave Merris.
York: Ovendale, Brass, Hope, Smith, Edmondson, Merris, Dunning, Ward, Cooper, Bullock, Nogan. Subs: Parkin, Fox, Yalcin, Porter, Walker.
Carlisle: Glennon, Arnison, McDonagh, Gray, Cowan, McGill, Murphy, Billy, Simpson, Fryatt, Preece. Subs: Rundle, Andrews, Farrell, Keen, Henderson.
Referee: R Beeby (Northamptonshire)