Carlisle United 1 Wycombe 0

Dec 13 2009 Sunday Sun

Wycombe closed the gaps and pushed the play into midfield and United had to resort to long-range efforts, with Hurst sending one well wide five minutes before the break.

But the growing tension was eased on the stroke of half-time when Pericard, the subject of intense contract discussions at Brunton Park, got the merest of touches on a floated Harte free kick to send the ball into the top corner for his sixth of the season.

Kevin Betsy sent one wide under pressure from Murphy shortly after the break, and John Akinde skipped through two challenges before pulling the ball back as the Wanderers tried to up the pace. Harrold stepped over it and Horwood blocked when Phillips came into play.

Pericard should have notched his second when Kavanagh laid it on a plate for him, but Shearer spread himself and deflected the toe poke behind.

Livesey cleared the ball off the line following a downward header from Hunt that skipped up off the surface, and there was suddenly defensive work to do for Carlisle. Another Harte free kick was met at the near post by Pericard on 83 minutes but the touch took it away from Keogh, who was unmarked at the back post.

And Hurst went for a top-corner screamer as the home side reasserted their authority, but Shearer was well positioned to pluck it out of the air.

Wycombe were still a threat and they nearly capitalised on a Harte mistake as they found themselves with a five against one situation. Akinde looked up but he picked out the only blue shirt in the box with his poor cross.

But Carlisle saw it through and could even have settled the nerves with late chances for Robson and Horwood, but Shearer was equal to the attempts.