Shaun Miller’s second half strike was the difference as Wycombe Wanderers suffered a 1-0 defeat to Carlisle United at Brunton Park.

The hosts extended their unbeaten start to the season to send Wycombe to their fifth League Two loss of the campaign.

The Blues, who fall to 21st in the league, had their opportunities to take something from the game and were unfortunate to see Matt Bloomfield and Scott Kashket’s efforts hit the post in either half.

They will now turn their attention to the visit of a Crewe side who have enjoyed a solid start to the season to Adams Park on Tuesday night.

An injury to Dayle Southwell during training on Thursday meant last Saturday’s goal hero did not travel with the squad.

Gareth Ainsworth opted to replace the former Boston United man with Adebayo Akinfenwa as the striker made his first start since last month’s 2-0 defeat to Colchester United.

A routine long pass forward almost gave Carlisle the lead with eight minutes played as the Wanderers defence failed to read the flight of the ball.

With the Wycombe back four turned, Jamal Blackman hesitated and allowed Miller to race onto the loose ball.

The forward dithered with the chance though and Aaron Pierre recovered superbly to clear and alleviate the danger.

A short corner routine found Wycombe wanting for concertation in defence again as Ainsworth’s men failed to track their runners after a quarter of an hour.

The resulting cross from the left-wing found Jason Kennedy in space at the back post but the Cumbrians’ wide man could only head wide from six yards.

Akinfenwa was proving to be a useful outlet at the point of Wycombe’s attack and it was his fine hold up play which helped produce the Chairboys’ best attempt of the half.

Firstly, the burly forward collected Michael Harriman’s throw on the left flank before returning the ball to the Blues left-back with a clever reverse pass.

Harriman controlled instantly on the edge of the box and curled an effort towards the back post which beat Mark Gillespie but drifted a yard wide.

The warning shot seemed to bring the best out of United as the hosts controlled the next 10 minutes and forced Blackman into a number of stops.

The most notable of which came with 29 minutes played as a long ball once again undid the Wanderers backline.

On this occasion Charlie Wyke was released down the right channel and was far more decisive than his strike partner had been in the opening exchanges.

Nonetheless, his volley from an ever tightening angle lacked the power to beat Wycombe’s number one who got down smartly to parry the low drive.

Having Weathered the Carlisle pressure the Blues were inches from taking a lead into the half-time break after Bloomfield hit the post.

The long-serving midfielder collected Garry Thompson’s long throw and turned on the edge of the box before placing a right-footed effort against the United upright.

Carlisle utilised the long throw throughout the match and nearly went ahead just after the restart as Wycombe failed to deal with Tom Miller’s.

With confusion reigning in the Wanderers box, Michael Raynes headed dangerously across gaol but saw his effort sail wide.

Carlisle were well on top now and made their superiority count as a simple ball forward allowed Miller to break the Wanderers offside trap.

After collecting the ball, the Carlisle man settled himself and rolled a calm finish to Blackman’s left as the keeper committed to his right.

The goal was fair reward for Carlisle’s bright start to the half and Wanderers struggled to assert themselves throughout the second period.

Ainsworth opted to introduce Kashket with 15 minutes to play after seeing the initial threat offered by Akinfenwa wain considerably as the game wore on.

The summer arrival’s introduction saw Wycombe commit more men forward and he went agonisingly close to finding an equaliser with 10 minutes to play.

He showed great footwork to cut in from the right and curl a sublime effort towards the back post which beat Gillespie before smacking off the upright.

Wanderers were convinced they should have had a penalty moments later as Dominic Gape went down in the box, but referee Seb Stockbridge waved away their vociferous appeals.

Try as they might they could not muster another opening as United saw the game out with relative comfort.

They could even have extended their lead, but Blackman stood firm to force Reggie Lambe’s half-volley around the post.

He then showed great athleticism to save a towering header from the resulting corner and keep the score at 1-0.

Carlisle United: Gillespie; Tom Miller, Raynes, Gillesphey, Grainger (C), Kennedy, Joyce (Lambe 58), Jones, Adams, Shaun Miller (Ibehre 66), Wyke (Devitt 72)

Subs not used: Ellis; Brisley, McKee, Crocombe

Wycombe Wanderers: Blackman; Jombati, Stewart, Pierre, Harriman, Thompson, Bloomfield (McGinn 62), Gape, Wood, Thompson, Akinfenwa (Kashket 75) Hayes (C) (Cowan-Hall 62)

Subs not used: Richardson, Rowe, Freeman, De Havilland

Referee: Seb Stockbridge

Bookings: Jombati (11 dissent), Jones (63 foul on Thompson), Stewart (90 foul on Adams)

Attendance: 4,354 (away 116)