By Ross Jeavons
Wycombe held on for a nail biting 2-1 victory over lowly Wrexham on Tuesday evening, despite having to play with ten men for the last few minutes.
It could and perhaps should have been much more wecomfortable for the Wanderers, as they raced into a two goal lead inside twenty one minutes thanks to some suicidal defending from the Dragons.
Despite that strong start a Michael Proctor goal and Tommy Doherty's late dismissal ensured that the game would go the distance.
Paul Lambert kept everyone guessing with his team selection, with Sam Stockley replacing the injured Matt Bloomfield and Russ Martin moving on to the right hand side of midfield.
The change seemed to work wonders inside the first five minutes as both Martin and Leon Knight picked up where they left off against Darlington.
Fourteen minutes in they had their reward as a hashed clearance from Wrexham keeper Gavin Ward fell to the feet of Knight, who burst forward before sending an unstoppable 20-yard shot into the top right hand corner.
There was plenty of space opening up in midfield and Tommy Doherty took advantage, sending a dipping 25-yard volley just over the bar moments later.
It was in the twenty second minute that Wycombe doubled their lead, again after some calamitous defending from the Welsh side.
Carl Tremarco's headed back pass fell way short of it's mark, finding only Scott McGleish unmarked in the centre of the area.
Wycombe's top scorer easily side-stepped the onrushing keeper before slotting home his 22nd of the season.
The away side looked truly shell-shocked and Paul Lambert's side almost had a third on the half hour mark, as the ball somehow found its way to McGleish on the penalty spot - but Buckinghamshire's premier marksman could only flick the ball onto the bar.
The half time whistle put an end to Wrexham's misery and at that point in time it looked to be three points in the bag for the Chairboys.
As all football fans know the game just isn't that simple, as Brian Little's switch to a three pronged strike force rejuvenated the Dragons.
Tommy Doherty picked up a booking for a tug on Llewellyn on the left hand side of the area and the Wanderers failed to clear their lines from the resulting free-kick, leaving Michael Proctor to stab home his 10th league goal of the season.
As if to signal the change in Wycombe's fortunes the rain began to lash down, with swirling winds further complicating matters for the home side.
Their opponents began to pile on the pressure, causing Paul Lambert to introduce Mike Williamson for the flagging Stefan Oakes in the hope of standing up to Wrexham's towering front line.
A brief moment of rest bite came as Gary Holt's intelligent run into the area was picked up by Leon Knight, however the Scottish international's shot was well blocked by the back tracking Gareth Evans.
Then in the space of a minute Wycombe fans saw the two sides of 'the Doc'.
First of all the ex-Q.P.R man twisted brilliantly in the area before whipping in a teasing cross towards Scott McGleish, who could only have been inches away from connecting.
Just moments later though the Doc received his marching orders, as a poorly timed lunging challenge on Sam Aiston resulted in his second booking of the game.
The resulting free-kick from Proctor looked goal bound, only for 'Franky' Fielding to pull off an astonishing save and tip the ball round the post.
It was always going to be backs to the wall form then on as the Welsh side sensed blood, and with only one minute of play remaining Wycombe came inches from disaster.
Paul Hall found space on the left hand side and lashed in a dangerous looking drive, which pin-balled off both Dave McCracken and Drew Broughton.
The ball looped agonisingly over Fielding and marginally over the bar.
Four minutes of added time did nothing to help calm the nerves inside Adams Park, however Proctor's weak header into the arms of the Wanderers keeper was to be the only real remaining action of the night.
Referee Mr Penton's full time whistle bought a tangible sense of relief around the ground - as the Blues further secured their place inside the playoffs.
As physically and mentally draining as the night may prove to be there is no time to rest for the Wanderers, as they travel to third placed Hereford on Saturday afternoon.
Make sure you're there for the next chapter of this roller coaster promotion ride.
Wycombe: Fielding, Martin, Stockley, McCracken, Johnson, Oakes (Williamson 66), Doherty, Holt, Woodman, Knight (Lennon 81), McGleish (Sutton 76).
Subs Not Used: Young, Bullock.
Sent Off: Doherty (79).
Booked: McGleish, Doherty.
Goals: Knight 14, McGleish 21.
Wrexham: Ward, Spender, Tremarco, Hope (Gareth Evans 46), Mike Williams, Hall, Bolland (Taylor 46), Whitley (Aiston 45), Llewellyn, Proctor, Broughton.
Subs Not Used: Anthony Williams, Nicholson.
Booked: Hope, Bolland, Tremarco, Aiston.
Goals: Proctor 53.
Att: 4,002
Ref: Clive Penton (Sussex).
