A solo effort from Leo Fortune-West settled this scrappy game as Carlisle slipped to an eleventh successive league defeat.
In appalling conditions, the home side took the game to Doncaster and will count themselves unlucky to take nothing from the match.
A ferocious opening saw United's Lee Andrews booked, before a horror tackle by the visiting John Doolan saw him lucky to escape with a yellow card.
Carlisle continued to push forward, with on-loan midfielder Steven Schumacher going close with a six yard header and player-manager Paul Simpson dragging his 15 yard shot just wide.
With the wind facing them, Doncaster started the second half under severe pressure from United's forwards.
Henderson, Foran and Simpson all looked to unlock the stubborn Rovers defence but failed to create any clear chances.
The brilliant 53rd minute save from Matty Glennon denied Fortune-West after he had turned inside the home defence, with Michael McIndoe's follow up well blocked by Brian Shelley.
Doncaster's goal arrived in the 68th minute when a ball was fed to Fortune-West, who muscled past new Carlisle signing Kevin Gray and drove his low shot past Glennon.
With the lead established, Rovers began to dominate and were unlucky not to go further ahead when McIndoe's drive brought another great save from Glennon and Fortune-West's late effort was deflected over.
After the game, United boss Paul Simpson said: "There were a lot of positives today, we stuck together and battled together. If we show that sort of attitude results will turn for us." Rovers manager David Penney was happy with the result: "I am delighted to come away with the three points, the second half suited us more because we had to get it down and pass it."