Carlisle United have been relegated from League Two to the National League after losing 3-2 at Cheltenham Town.

The Cumbrians started the day knowing that they needed all three points at Whaddon Road and for Tranmere Rovers to fail to win at home to Crewe Alexandra for there to be a chance of survival.

But Tranmere won 2-0 to leave the gap to safety at an insurmountable seven points going into the final game of the campaign.

Despite Carlisle taking the lead in the 29th minute through Matthew Dennis, they were quickly pegged back with goals from Jordan Thomas and Ashley Hay to go into the break trailing.

Georgie Kelly scored for Carlisle with less than 20 minutes remaining to level the match, but George Miller added a third for the hosts in stoppage time.

Carlisle will already relegated Morecambe in the National League next season.

Kelly missed an early chance for Carlisle, blasting over the bar in the 10th minute, but Gabe Breeze saved well from Hay at the other end.

The visitors struck first when Stephen Wearne flicked on Aaron Hayden's ball and Dennis raced through and beat Joe Day with a low finish in the 29th minute.

Cheltenham were awarded a penalty kick when Breeze was adjudged to have tripped Jordan Thomas and he converted from the spot in the 33rd minute.

The hosts led when Ethon Archer's ball over the top was reached by Hay, who finished confidently in the 45th minute.

Carlisle levelled when Elliot Embleton's cross was nodded in from close range by Kelly in the 73rd minute.

However, Miller scored three minutes into stoppage time to seal the points for mid-table Cheltenham, who sit 15th, and cap a dismal day for the Cumbrian side.

Cheltenham Town boss Michael Flynn told BBC Radio Gloucestershire:

"We were excellent first half. The second we looked a bit flat at times but played well on the counter.

"It's always tough seeing a team get relegated, I don't like it and it doesn't give me any satisfaction.

"Mark Hughes is a smashing manager and Carlisle is a club with loads of tradition, I hope they bounce back next season and I wish them all the best."

Carlisle United boss Mark Hughes told BBC Radio Cumbria:

"It's not a great moment for anyone connected with the club.

"It's difficult for everyone, not least the fans who came in great numbers again today.

"We gave it a shot and the players gave me everything, but for everyone connected it is really hard to take."

Adam Lanigan, BBC Sport, North East & Cumbria

Carlisle return to the National League for the first time since 2005 and only the second time in their history after a dismal and chaotic campaign.

The hangover from League One relegation 12 months ago continued into this campaign with manager Paul Simpson sacked after just four games.

The supposed revolution of a possession-based game under Mike Williamson backfired spectacularly as he was shown the door in February after only four wins in 22 games, but having been allowed to bring in 11 players in the January transfer window.

Manchester United and Wales legend Mark Hughes was brought in to try to save the Blues, but the salvage operation came too late.

It says everything that despite Carlisle's best run of form for two years - 10 points from five matches - they have not taken the survival fight to the final day.

They have been in the bottom two for all bar three days since early October and ultimately the season ends with what the club deserves - relegation.

Their stay in the National League lasted only one season 20 years ago, and their Americans owners will be desperate to ensure an EFL return as quickly as possible.