Anthony Grant looks to break through the Quakers defence

A goal inside 3 minutes from Jermaine Easter proved enough for Wycombe to claim all the points against Darlington at Adams Park on Tuesday evening.

The addition of Doherty to the starting line-up in place of Russell Martin was the only change in the starting eleven from the side that lost at Stockport on Friday, but his inclusion prompted a change to an attacking 3-5-2 formation which saw the Blues off to a flyer.

Stefan Oakes saw a ferocious drive well tipped over by Quakers keeper David Stockdale inside 35 seconds, before Wanderers raced into a third minute lead. Kevin Betsy did well to jinx his way to the by-line, standing up a deep cross to Bloomfield at the far post who looked to tee up Tommy Mooney before Easter decisively buried the loose ball from 6 yards out.

Wanderers purposeful start was worthy of their lead which could have been extended if Betsy had not been judged to have pushed Patrick Collins when trying to latch onto Oakes long ball forward. Before Easter nearly turned provider but sadly his cross lacked enough pace to reach Mooney in the centre.

Such was Wycombe's supremecy in the opening stages that it took the visitors 17 minutes to register their first attack of any note with Will Antwi clearing Craig James' cross away for a corner after Mooney had lost possesion on halfway.

But the Wanderers captain went close to making up for his uncharacteristic error in remarkable fashion 2 minutes later with an audacious effort from inside the centre circle which only missed by a fraction with Stockdale completely stranded.

There was a worrying moment just after the the half hour when Jermaine Easter suffered a shoulder injury and left the field in obvious discomfort to be replaced by Ian Stonebridge. With a busy December period ahead, fingers will be crossed for a swift return for the Blues leading marksman.

The stoppage for that, and a injury to Quakers defender Mark Albrighton, who was also replaced, disrupted the flow of the home side but the energetic Matt Bloomfield almost doubled the lead forcing a good save by Stockdale low down after a neat one-two with Betsy.

HT: 1-0

A dis-jointed start to the second half saw Bloomfield harshly cautioned for a challenge on Anthony Griffiths before Sam Stockley and Mike Williamson got themselves in a muddle to provide Armstrong with a shooting chance which he wasted.

The visitors then appeared to have decent cause to appeal for a penalty when Martin Smith's cross struck the arm, albeit accidentally, of Stefan Oakes in the penalty area, but strangely there were no great protests.

Substitute Ian Stonebridge had the best of Wanderers second half chances testing Stockdale with a long range effort then firing off target when he latched onto Jamie Young's long clearance downfield.

Paul Lambert brought on Russell Martin for Oakes reverting to a back four on the hour mark, but it was goalkeeper Jamie Young to the rescue with an excellent double save on 71 minutes to preserve Wanderers lead.

Smith showed good persistence down the left before pulling the ball back to Armstrong who drew a great save from Young before the Wycombe keeper sprung to his feet to beat away Clark Keltie's follow up.

It proved the Quakers last good chance to salvage a point as despite enduring 4 minutes of added on time Wycombe closed out the game without any great alarm to register an important 3 points.

FT: 1-0

Wycombe: Young, Stockley, Antwi, Williamson, Oakes (Martin 61), Doherty, Grant (O'Halloran 83), Bloomfield, Betsy, Easter (Stonebridge 36), Mooney SNU: Palmer, Gregory

Booked: Bloomfield 48 (foul), Grant  68 (foul)

Darlington: Stockdale, James, Collins, Wainwright, Cummins, Keltie, Joachim (Conlon 87), Close, Smith, Armstrong, Albrighton (Griffiths 31 {Johnson 72}) SNU: N'Goma, Wright

Booked: Griffiths 59 (foul)

Referee: Mr S Bratt

Attendence: 3885 (189)

James Skitt reporting from Adams Park.