Bournemouth can now look forward to the play-offs while Roddy Collins and his players take time off to recharge depleted batteries and plan for next season.

Carlisle made eight changes, mostly injury enforced, from the team that beat Shrewsbury in mid week to guarantee Third Division football next season.

The Cumbrians depleted side were always second best to a good footballing side and can have no complaints, but will be disappointed after keeping a clean sheet until so late in the game.

The seven thousand plus gate was testimony to the potential that awaits a winning team and Collins knows that he will have no excuses for not delivering success come August.

“It’s a great relief to get the season over and done with”, Collins said. “We’ve now a good squad of players we’ve assembled in the process of trying to avoid relegation. We got to a Cup Final but it’s been an up and down season but I’m happy with what we’ve got now to start next season.

“There are no excuses now. We’ll have a pre-season. We’ll add a few players to the squad and hopefully this time next year we will give a great crowd like that something to celebrate.”

Carlisle were on the back foot from the off, Peter Keen tipping over a Carl Fletcher header as early as the sixth minute.

A minute later Brian Shelley came to the Cumbrian’s rescue, heading another Fletcher header off the line following a Wade Elliott corner.

Warren Cummings then fired wide and Keen saved well from Scott McDonald before Elliott fired over from a good position.

Carlisle’s first shot on target came with 35 minutes gone, Craig Farrell latching onto an Adam Rundle pass to shoot straight at Neil Moss.

Four minutes into the second half Fletcher’s right wing cross found Thomas unmarked but he contrived to put his free header past the post.

Keen saved from McDonald before spectacularly turning a stunning Cummings free kick for a corner.

Carlisle then began to build a little pressure of their own. Brian Wake cut in from the right only to see his shot turned away by substitute keeper Gareth Stewart. Michael Jack then shot over from the edge of the box and pulled a shot wide of the post before the Cherries grabbed the lead with four minutes remaining.

Elliott caught the Carlisle defence sleeping, going clear on the right to cross for substitute James Hayter to place a diving header into the bottom corner.

Hayter wrapped the win up in the 90th minute with his second goal. A long clearance from Stewart cleared the Carlisle defence and Hayter ran on, without breaking stride, to volley a spectacular shot into the top corner.