Boreham Wood came from behind to win for the third match running, opening up a three-point gap at the top of the Enterprise National League table. Stephen Wearne gave the visitors the lead on the hour mark before Jay Bird equalised on his Wood debut. Zak Brunt then scored the winner directly from a corner with eight minutes remaining.

Luke Garrard made one change to his starting line-up from Monday’s win at Worthing, with James Clarke returning at right-back in place of Tylor Golden, who dropped to the bench. Also taking his place among the substitutes was returning loan goalkeeper Ted Curd, along with striker Jay Bird, who had just arrived on loan from Salford City.

It was an exciting opening, with both sides keen to get on the ball and move it around. The visitors had the game’s first chance after two minutes when Josh Williams played in David Ajiboye, who snatched at his effort and sent the ball wide.

Six minutes later, some good interplay between Tarryn Allarakhia and Danny Cashman nearly produced an opening for Allarakhia, before Blues goalkeeper Adam Desbois gathered the ball.

The Wood started to take control, and on 15′ only a fantastic block by Morgan Feeney prevented Matt Rush from opening the scoring.

Stephen Wearne had a couple of good chances for the visitors shortly afterwards. First, he fired wide before forcing Luca Gunter into an excellent save with his second effort.

On 21 minutes, Allarakhia played an excellent pass to Rush, who shot just wide. Two minutes later, Josh Williams fired over after being played through by Jack Ellis.

On the half-hour mark, Georgie Kelly headed just wide for the visitors following a corner.

On 35 minutes, Luca Gunter played an excellent pass to Cashman, who went on a good run before forcing Desbois into another save.

HT: BOREHAM WOOD 0–0 CARLISLE UNITED

No sooner had the second half started than the outstanding Allarakhia went on an excellent run down the right and, just when he looked likely to score, hit a tame shot straight at Desbois.

The former Rochdale wide man was at it again on 50′, this time forcing the Blues stopper into an outstanding save after some good work from Brunt.

On the hour mark, the visitors took the lead with their first shot of the second half, as Wearne produced an outstanding turn and shot to fire the ball into the corner.

Luke Garrard shuffled his pack with the introduction of Jay Bird for his debut, but for a while there didn’t seem to be a way through a dogged Carlisle defence.

During that period, Gunter did well to prevent both Harvey Bunker and Miguel Azeez from doubling Carlisle’s lead.

On 79 minutes, Brunt showed what was to come when he forced Desbois into another superb save.

A minute later, the Wood got their equaliser when an excellent pass from Brunt picked out Bird, who buried a superb header into the corner to get off the mark for Boreham Wood.

Three minutes later, the Wood got the winner when Brunt scored directly from a corner, a deliberate effort from the former Barnet maestro.

Boreham Wood were able to see out the rest of the game in relative comfort, with only a Bradley Nicholson effort troubling the Wood in the closing moments.

It was another thoroughly entertaining encounter at Meadow Park, and Boreham Wood continue to show the quality and fighting spirit associated with champions.

Boreham Wood

Gunter, Clarke, Bainbridge (Golden 81′), Bush, O’Connell, White, Brunt (Richardson 90+1′), Booty (Marshall-Miranda 90+1′), Allarakhia, Cashman (Bird 68′), Rush.

Subs not used: Ali Wahid, Curd, Kensdale.

Carlisle United

Desbois, Nicholas, Ellis, Williams (Duru 58′), Feeney, Bunker, Wearne (Jenks 66′), Azeez, Galvin (Harper 81′), Ajiboye (Luamba 58′), Kelly (Linney 81′).

Subs not used: Mair, Skinner.

Man of the Match: Tarryn Allarakhia

Written by Brett Lewis.