Wanderers came crashing back down to earth as they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Lincoln City.

An eight game winning streak, which included a marvellous victory at Fulham on Wednesday evening, was ended by the Imps who, to their credit, were worthy winners at Adams Park.

Former Blues striker Mark Stallard returned to haunt his old club with a second half brace that put the game to bed after Lee Frecklington had cancelled out Tommy Mooney's opener.

Paul Lambert said. "That is the game. You can't be too hard on the players for what they've done over the past few weeks and we'll put it down to a bad day. We had terrific start and I think we should have been more up in first half.

"But as long as you miss chances you're always putting yourself under pressure. To be fair to Lincoln they kept at it and it was a bad time for us to lose a goal. They defended very well and managed to get rid of crosses that normally we would have got on the end of.

"There is no doubt about the fact that after the win against Fulham the players were tired and you had to accept that. We couldn't keep the run going forever but they've been excellent and on any other day I think we might have had a couple more - it just didn't materialise today."

Maybe there was an element of tiredness that crept into Wycombe's game after the euphoria of midweek but when Mooney emphatically blasted the side into the lead, you got the impression that another three points was on its way.

It was the first attack of the game and capped off a fine move that was started by Anthony Grant in midfield. The ball was eventually fed to Jermaine Easter on the edge of the box and when his curling effort struck the bar, Mooney was first to the rebound and showed superb technique to thunder it home.

Wanderers had started the game in confident mood and not for the first time this season Paul Lambert had opted for a different formation with Kevin Betsy hoisted into attack as part of a three man front line.

He had a hand in the next move that should have seen the Blues extend their lead but despite finding Matt Bloomfield in the area, the midfielder failed to keep his shot down under the challenge of Frecklington.

As chances came and went for Wycombe the away side gradually wormed themselves back into what was a decent contest at Adams Park. Under the guidance of John Schofield, Lincoln have become more of a footballing side despite his inheritance of the nucleus of the squad left by his predecessor, Keith Alexander.

It made for an attractive battle between two good sides who will no doubt hope to be there or thereabouts in the promotion stakes come May. The early advantage however was gained by the Imps and after Adie Moses had seen his header cleared off the line by home debutant Vincent Fernandez, midfielder Frecklington made his chance count right on the stroke of half time.

The 21 year old, who has come through the ranks at Sincil Bank, held off Scott Golbourne to collect Jeff Hughes' cross and steer beyond the recalled Ricardo Batista.

Seconds later Betsy had a golden opportunity to instantly shoot Wycombe back in front but after rounding 'keeper Alan Marriott he completely fluffed his final effort into the thankful away following.

Having received the bitter blow of that Frecklington goal, Wanderers started well again in the second half and both Bloomfield and Betsy failed to make the most of chances inside the area.

The backlash was a second for Lincoln. Stallard started and finished a fine move after a well worked one-two with Jamie Forrester and as he held off Will Antwi to tee the striker up, Stallard slotted comfortably beyond Batista.

Ten minutes later he netted another. Forrester was again involved when he tackled Antwi to begin a lethal counter attack for the visitors. Lee Beevers supplied a cross which substitute Russell Martin headed away but with Stallard patiently waiting on the edge of the area, the ball was returned with menace.

As the game came to a close Wanderers had half chances through Martin, Betsy and Grant but unlike Lincoln they couldn't make them count and now look to bounce back as Swindon Town visit Adams Park on Tuesday.

Lambert said. "The good thing is that we only have a couple of days rest now before we play again. We can't feel sorry for ourselves, we have to pick ourselves up and be ready to go again."

Wanderers: Batista, Fernandez (Martin70), Antwi, Williamson, Golbourne, Grant, Bloomfield, Palmer (Doherty,60), Betsy, Easter, Mooney.
Subs not used: Young, Anya, Dixon.
Booked: Grant (foul)

Lincoln: Marriott, Beevers, Moses, Morgan, Mayo, Eaden (Amoo,80), Hughes, Kerr, Frecklington, Stallard (Gritton,90), Forrester.
Subs not used: Raynor, Cryan, Ryan.
Booked: Eaden (foul), Stallard (unsporting behaviour).

Attendance: 5247 (494 Lincoln).