Wycombe showing pleases boss

Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth hailed "a great three points" after watching his team hold off a late Carlisle fightback.

Wanderers were cruising with a 3-0 lead midway through the second half only for the home side to pull a goal back, win a controversial penalty and have a man sent off in a dramatic finale. Ainsworth said: "The referee made it interesting and it was one of the softest penalties I have seen for a while. It was great for the game but not for my nerves." Aaran Pierre, Matt McClure and Fred Onyedinma put title-chasing Wycombe firmly in control but Kyle Dempsey and Danny Grainger hit back for Carlisle, who had substitute Mark Beck sent off late on for a foul on Sido Jombati. Ainsworth admitted that a long coach journey, Wycombe were on the road for over 10 hours, was not the best preparation for the game, but he said: "We came here and set up to play expansive attacking football. "I want to chase this promotion dream we are having because we are good enough. We played really well and we could have been out of sight before half-time. "We had a ten-and -a-half hour journey up to Carlisle with a blow out on the motorway so our preparation didn't go well at all. But the players performed really well and it's a great three points to get us back on track." Ainsworth was full of praise for striker Matt McClure, who missed a trio of first-half chances before finally getting his goal - Wycombe's second of the game. "Matt took his chance really well and it was a great goal," said Ainsworth. "He is a clinical finisher and it's important to show faith with people. He is young and has a lot on his shoulders, but plays well with Hayesey (skipper Paul Hayes)." Ainsworth said:" Carlisle manager Keith Curle was frustrtade with his side's level of inconsistency. He said: "Our decision-making was off. "The preparation was spot on during the week and there was an excellent tempo about the warm up, but we started slowly and just didn't deal with Wycombe. "There were some positive signs, but the scoreline flattered our performance. We didn't start playing until we were three goals down and we need that attitude when it's 0-0. The shackles came off, but we need our players to be brave. Defensively we didn't look solid. We have to be prepared to make decisions."