Wyke brace helps seal Cats victory after a slow start
McLaughlin had made a good run into the box and was totally unmarked, but found himself denied by an excellent stop as Paul Farman stood tall to make the block.
Carlisle had started the gamelookingcomposedinpossession, and were unlucky not to forge a chance with a couple of good pieces of play, creating space between the centrebacks.
Will Grigg and Aiden O’Brien were trying hard to stretch the defence but with little reward.
They did come close five minutes before the break, Diamonddrivinginfieldandpreventedfromgettingashotaway only by an excellent challenge on the edge of the box, Scowen then saw his effort go wide.
Just as they had done on Saturday, Parkinson’s whole changes yielded an almost immediateresponse.ChrisMaguire did well to find space on the right of the box, his low drive palmed away from Farman.
Denver Hume, who drawn a save moments earlier with a fairly tepid effort, now fired in an excellent low cross that was turned home at the near post by Wyke.
The Black Cats were beginning to carve open their opponents and should have ahead moments later after some excellent interplay between Wyke and Maguire. The Scot played a ball across goal to Dan Neil, who just snatched at the chance and fired it well over the bar. Neil was again a bright presence as he continues to make an impression, and his miss was soon consigned to memory as Sunderland took the lead.
Grant Leadbitter took the Carlisle defence out the game with a wonderful floated pass, taken on the turn and lofted first time into the path of Luke O’Nien.Hispassacrossgoalleft Maguire with the simplest of finishes, and he almost doubled his tally again with an effort that flashed just wide of Farman’s post moments later.
O’Nien curled a terrific crossfromdeepontherighttowards the box. Neil took it first time and with real confidence, desperately unlucky to see his shot his the post. Wyke was alertandshowedgoodcomposure to take a touch and turn home another simple finish.