Manager Keith Curle admitted he had a “deflated changing room” after Carlisle United’s 3-3 draw with Wycombe.

Goals from Reggie Lambe and Jamie Devitt had put the Blues into a two-goal lead.

But Sam Saunders’ free-kick on the stroke of half-time changed the complexion of the match, with Adebayo Akinfenwa equalising after the restart.

Lambe then netted again and looked to have earned the points, but Wycombe sub Paris Cowan-Hall headed in a stoppage-time corner.

Curle said: “Goals do change games.

“We have a deflated changing room in there because we have conceded just before half-time.

“But the players showed good character, even when Wycombe got back to 2-2, we kept our belief.

“We looked dangerous on the break and, overall, you would probably say in general play we dealt with the big lad [Akinfenwa] up front very well.

“I thought we defended, in general play, quite well. But we were disappointed at home to concede three goals.

“If you are scoring three goals at home, you are thinking you will get a win.

“But we were playing against a good team, who are buoyant and confident, and have a style of play that they have adapted to.”

United opened the scoring on four minutes when Lambe headed a Nicky Adams corner past Chairboys keeper Scott Brown.

Carlisle then doubled their lead from the penalty spot in the first period. Shaun Miller was brought down by Wycombe defender Daniel Scarr after a back-heel from namesake Tom.

Irishman Devitt made no mistake from the spot, sending the away keeper the wrong way.

But Wycombe pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time when Saunders found the back of Jack Bonham’s net to half the deficit.

In the early stages of the second half, Adams had a good chance to restore the Cumbrians’ two-goal cushion, although he dragged wide from the left side of the penalty area.

The first spate of changes on the 68th minute saw United boss Curle bring on Steven Rigg for the Cumbrian’s first appearance since his return to the club.

Big Wycombe striker Akinfenwa, nicknamed “The Beast”, levelled the scores on the 72nd minute. He nodded in a Nick Freeman cross at the back post.

United re-took the lead on the 84th minute as Mike Jones found Lambe and he slotted home his second goal of the night, only for Cowan-Hall to grab Wycombe a point.