Scott Dobie, partnering Joe Anyinsah upfront in an unchanged Carlisle line-up, got the first shot in on goal with a weak effort straight at Michael Kupiers, but it soon got worse for the home side when Forster opened the scoring in the fourth minute. A long James Tunnicliffe throw-in being headed out twice by the United defence, but when Gary Dicker knocked it back in again Forster was on hand to lob the ball delicately over Lenny Pidgeley and into the net from 12 yards out.
Danny Livesey tried to get an immediate reply but sadly for the Cumbrians his header from a Kevan Hurst corner flew across goal and wide of the far-post. Kuipers having to be in the action shortly afterwards though when Tommy Elphick almost headed into his own goal from a Matty Robson throw-in, Kuipers able to claw the ball from danger.
Sunderland referee Andy Haines, who was inconsistent and poor all afternoon, then angered both sides as he waved away a penalty appeal apiece. Livesey first almost having his shirt pulled off his back by El-Abd at a set-piece before Livesey was involved at the other end, the Carlisle defender seemingly bringing down Forster from behind as the Brighton man broke into the United box.
Robson then had a shot blocked for the Cumbrians, the action around the half-hour mark being 50-50 as Arron Davies shortly afterwards made a good run forward before curling a 20-yard right-footer past the upright. Hurst then left disappointed for Carlisle in the 36th minute when he struck a long-range effort just inches wide of the angle of post and bar. Anyinsah, Graham Kavanagh and David Raven all having shots blocked for United as they put pressure on to no avail with the half drawing to a close.
The home side did keep that spell going early after the break but a lot of it was just huff and puff with Kuipers never really tested until late on. The misfiring Dobie and Anyinsah both heading wide from a respective Robson corner and Kavanagh cross in the early stages of the second period. Dicker then doing well to make a good block on an Anyinsah touch from a ball in by man of the match Robson.
Anyinsah was left unmarked on the hour-mark though as from a Kavanagh cross following a cleared corner the Carlisle striker could only scuff a weak drive straight at Kuipers from close range. Things got even worse in the 66th minute for the Blues though when Brighton made it 2-0, Andrew Crofts sending Liam Dickinson away down the left as Dickinson then crossed low into the United box, the Carlisle defenders deciding to play statues as Forster ran in unmarked eight yards out to tap the ball home.
Forster then thought he had a hat-trick when he smacked home a Dicker cross on 71 minutes, only for the flag to be raised for offside, that cutting Forster's run away celebration with the ball in his hands short. Davies then showing some dreadful sportsmanship in an attempt to timewaste as he picked the ball out of Forster's hands and hurled it towards the Paddock/Waterworks corner flag, Davies being booked for his troubles.
Peter Murphy and Raven then needing to be on hand in the next few minutes to deny Forster that elusive third goal as the Albion continued to look dangerous on the break. Richard Offiong had been introduced for Dobie midway through the period and he was unlucky not to score late on when first his close range header hit the legs of an unsuspecting Kuipers, then the Brighton goalkeeper saved his quick turn and shot at the near-post.
It was that man Forster who almost had the last word in front of goal though when he broke away in injury time only to see Pidgeley save his shot well at the near-post. The Seagulls pretty much able to see the match out in comfort against a Carlisle side who could probably have played until midnight without scoring, the Blues really needing to improve their Brunton Park form quickly if they are to avoid sliding down the table with a tougher run of fixtures to come.