Report from the Saturday afternoon home game
Carlisle had to do it the hard way as they battled through the morning to beat overnight frost - and they then battled back from behind during the game to go top of a division for the first time since August 2010, and for the first time for a prolonged period since November 2007.Mansfield started well and they earned a free kick in a dangerous area when Hoban was dumped on his backside. Mitchell Rose struck it firmly but it hit the wall and went behind for a corner. Rose trotted across to take it and his delivery invited Hoban to head. Gillespie tried to stop it on the line but it squirmed under his boot and into the back of the net.
Carlisle worked hard to get themselves back into the game but a deep free kick from Adams curled frustratingly over everybody and into Shearer's hands. Lambe then went on a run but his cross was cut out before Kennedy could pounce.
A foul on Adams 28-yards out brought Grainger forward and his drilled free kick was tipped past the upright by Shearer. Grainger and Adams followed up with a short corner routine and the delivery from the latter was flicked into the bottom corner for goal number nine of the season from Jason Kennedy.
Carlisle started to edge on top and a low cross from Tom Miller was met by Kennedy with a first time shot. It was slightly behind him as he readjusted and his effort lacked the power it needed to beat Shearer.
The Stags went close midway through the half when a loose ball dropped to Gobern on the edge of the area. He let fly with a controlled volley and it appeared to be going in until it bent just wide at the last moment.
But the visitors were let off the hook at the other end when Raynes arrived late for another clipped free kick from Adams. He had the goal at his mercy but he put too much on his close range volley and he sent it well wide of the upright.
Adams was next to test the target when he worked space with Jones and Joyce to unleash a 25-yard toe poke. He caught it well but it was too close to Shearer.
Mansfield had to deal with flicks from Raynes as he won high balls on the edge of the away area, but they had men to cover and it was all-square as the teams headed down the tunnel for the break.
United put a nice move together moments after the restart with Jones and Grainger linking up to make room for Adams to cross. Wyke moved in front of his man but he couldn't get a touch and Pearce swept it clear.
It was a warning shot across the bows as Adams came again with a winding run on the left flank. He bent inside and crossed it at the penalty spot and Charlie Wyke did the rest as he climbed back to the top of the club goalscoring charts with a dipping header.
McGuire rifled a long range shot wide as the Stags tried to find some purchase in the second half, but Carlisle opened a gap when Grainger whipped a fantastic cross into the penalty box. Charlie Wyke set himself and guided his eleventh goal in just nine games past a despairing dive from Shearer.
Game management came into play as United dictated things and Wyke made it a hat-trick when Danny Grainger waived his penalty taking rights when the ball was handled inside the box. The centre forward made no mistake as he smashed it low and hard into the net.
Substitute Danny Rose made the scoreline more respectable when he prodded a loose ball home, and keeper Mark Gillespie produced a world class save to divert a goal bound effort wide deep into time added on.
Carlisle brushed the scare off and it was another ruthless victory courtesy of some excellent finishing - capped off when Reggie Lambe swept a McKee cut back into the net via a wicked deflection deep into time added on.
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Goals
Carlisle United - Kennedy (13), Wyke (49, 62, 80 pen), Lambe (90+5)
Mansfield Town - Hoban (7), D Rose (84)
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Bookings
Carlisle United - Kennedy (14), Brisley (21)
Mansfield Town - M Rose (44), Shearer (49), Collins (73)
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Teams
Carlisle United - Gillespie, T Miller, Raynes, Brisley, Grainger, Kennedy (McKee 70), Joyce, Jones, Lambe, Wyke (S Miller 81), Adams (Asamoah 84). Subs - Crocombe, Atkinson, Ellis, Gillesphey.
Mansfield Town - Shearer, Bennett, Benning, Collins, Pearce, Clements, Hoban (D Rose 69), Green, M Rose (Baxendale 79), McGuire, Gobern (Hemmings 58). Subs - Jensen, Hurst, Thomas, Hamilton.
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Referee - Mr Seb Stockbridge
Attendance - 4,822 (183 away fans)