Gararth McCleary scored a brace as Wycombe Wanderers secured their third win in a row following a 3-1 victory at Carlisle United.

Following the EFL Trophy final defeat against Peterborough United on April 7, Wanderers had picked up seven points from their last nine available, making them one of the in-form teams in League One.

And they nearly got off to the perfect start at Brunton Park when Freddie Potts had an early chance at goal, but his shot from range went just wide of Harry Lewis’ goal.

The Chairboys continued to dominate against the division's basement side, as Potts, Richard Kone (on two occasions), Dale Taylor and Josh Scowen all had attempts to get on the scoresheet in the opening half, but to no avail.

However, an inswinging corner by Luke Leahy on 15 minutes caused a scramble in the Carlisle box, and there was Garath McCleary to tap home from four yards to give Wycombe the lead.

It was his fifth goal of the season, four of which have been scored on the road. 

Carlisle have struggled for consistency all season, spending the last six months in the drop zone, with the Cumbrian side being bottom since the start of February.

They will finish their first campaign in their tier of English football in last place, and whilst they lacked an attacking threat versus the Chairboys, they did manage to get on the scoresheet to level the game.

Moments after Scowen put his attempt wide, the Cumbrians caught Wycombe on the counter-attack and stretched the backline.

Jon Mellish’s cross was brilliantly taken dispatched by Alfie McCalmot, which Franco Ravizzoli could not stop.

It was his second of the season and only his fourth in a Carlisle shirt since joining the club in January last year.

Both teams went into the break all square but it only took the Chairboys three minutes into the second period to regain their lead.

After Taylor’s attempt was blocked, United had two chances to clear the ball away.

They failed on both occasions, and Kone was on hand to capitalise on some terrible defending and score his fourth since his January move – his second in three games.

Wanderers then wrapped up the win with 15 minutes remaining when McCleary headed home a Kieran Sadlier cross.

That took him up to six strikes this campaign, with five being scored away from home.

The result means up to 11th on 61 points.