Wycombe Wanderers 1 Notts. County 2

Last updated : 26 February 2005 By Footymad Previewer
Notts County's excellent away record continued with a 2-1 victory at play-off chasing Wycombe, condemning their hosts to their sixth home defeat of a frustrating campaign.

Wycombe started very brightly. In the second minute Ian Stonebridge sent a flicked header goalwards from a Steve Guppy free-kick which Saul Deeney pushed away.

A minute later captain Roger Johnson burst through but Deeney saved his side with his legs.

It was the visitors though who took the lead after 13 minutes. Stefan Oakes swung in a free-kick from the left and Kelvin Wilson, completely unmarked at the back stick, planted the header into the net.

The Chairboys were level within a minute. Stonebridge, who scored the only goal of the reverse fixture earlier in the season, won the ball on the edge of the area from the kick-off and coolly slotted home the ball from a tight angle.

County full-back David Pipe wasted a glorious chance to regain his side's early advantage when he somehow shot over from eight yards with the goal gaping in what was a contender for the miss of the season.

Home player-coach Keith Ryan blasted wide from eight yards after 47 minutes as the home side started the half in positive mood.

Former Wanderer Mark Stallard then fired just wide on 51 minutes with a shot that had Frank Talia beaten all ends up.

Glynn Hurst latched onto a Wilson through ball after 61 minutes and his cross-shot was pushed away for a corner by Talia.

Wycombe responded well to that scare and a minute later substitute Nathan Tyson burst through, but the angle was too tight and the striker dragged his shot wide.

The visitors deservedly took the lead for the second time on 72 minutes. Stefan Oakes drove in a 30-yard shot right into the top corner, giving the groping Talia no chance.

Ryan shot just wide three minutes later from 20 yards as his side sought their second equaliser of the day.

Stallard nearly bit the hand that used to feed him after 87 minutes, but his effort was well pushed away by Talia.

Wycombe substitute Joe Burnell headed wide at the death with what was his side's final effort to salvage a point.