Wanderers bounced back with a performance full of grit and determination to hold the league leaders and earn a point which left them outside the top six only on goal difference, writes Pete Oliver.
Ian Evatt’s men ended a tough week on a high as they showed great character to dig in and become just the third side to take some reward at Adams Park this season in a spirited response to their derby defeat last weekend.
Despite missing some of their key men, all those on duty stepped up to keep Wycombe at arm’s length and against the top scorers in the division keep a first clean sheet in 10 games before almost snatching victory at the death in front of the superb travelling fans who showed their appreciation at the end.
With injuries and suspensions biting, Wanderers were much changed from their defeat to Wigan as Klaidi Lolos was handed a first league start for the Whites and the back line was given a totally different look.
Will Forrester and Josh Dacres-Cogley filled two of the three central berths, while Randell Williams returned as a wing-back against the club where he previously spent two spells on loan.
The fifth change saw the return of Aaron Collins in attack and the Wanderers’ top scorer carried the early threat in an excellent start from the Whites who showed the tempo and intensity that had been missing as Evatt’s men lost for just the third time in 13 league games against the Latics.
And when Wycombe, whose unbeaten 17-game run had taken them to the top of the table, began to find their stride, Wanderers’ commitment was further illustrated by vital interventions from Williams and the outstanding Forrester as the visitors reached the break goalless and very much in the hunt.
For all Wanderers’ excellent defending, Wycombe top scorer Richard Kone was always a handful and four minutes into the second half he fired wide and then teed up Cameron Humphreys for an effort he lifted over the top as the home side tried to take the initiative.
Wanderers’ excellent and vocal following responded by getting behind their team and with the game on a knife edge – and Nathan Baxter spreading himself to save well from Kone – Evatt made his first changes with 20 minutes to go as he sent on Dion Charles and John McAtee to provide a fresh spearhead.
It was Jay Matete who unleashed Wanderers’ first real strike on target, though, with an excellent long-range effort which had Franco Ravizzoli scrambling to save.
Lolos then sent a free-kick into the side-netting but Wycombe were more dangerous from their next set-piece as captain Luke Leahy forced Baxter into another smart save to touch his curling effort over the top.
Kone then steered a shot wide on the stretch but Wanderers made sure they would become the first team to stop the Chairboys scoring this season.
And it was the Whites who almost claimed maximum points in a thrilling final few minutes as they peppered the hosts’ penalty areas.
A long throw from Williams finally dropped to Gethin Jones, whose shot was cleared to George Thomason whose volley went through a crowd of bodies before being gratefully grabbed by Ravizzoli who denied the Whites a notable win.
Wanderers: Baxter; Dacres-Cogley, Forrester, Jones; Matete; Willams, Lolos, Thomason, Schön; Collins (McAtee 70), Adeboyejo (Charles 70). Substitutes: Southwood (GK), Mendes-Gomes, Arfield, Sharples-Ahmed.
Booked: Matete, Lolos, Williams
Wycombe: Ravizzoli; Pattenden (Grimmer 88), Low, Taylor, Hartridge; Bakinson, Leahy; Humphreys; Onyedinma (Udoh 73), Kone, Lubala (McCleary 66). Substitutes: George (GK), Grimmer,Wheeler, Butcher, Hanlan.
Booked: Hartridge
Referee: Stephen Martin
Attendance: 6,119 (770 Wanderers)