By Ross Jeavons
Wycombe Wanderers were defeated at home for the first time since early August on Saturday, as Rochdale ran out 1-0 winners at Adams Park.
It was a tale of two penalties for Paul Lambert and his men, as a late Tom Kennedy spot kick sealed the victory for the away side - and the Chairboys were denied a late claim when Gary Holt went down in the area.
The match was a scrappy affair at times, with Wycombe by all accounts finding it difficult to get out of first gear on a chilly winter afternoon.
Sergio Torres tried his best to warm the cockles with a first half performance full of flair, and the Argentinean blazed over on five minutes after a dazzling run from the centre of midfield.
Rochdale were proving a tough side to break down, and although Sutton chipped just wide with an instinctive lob on the half hour mark, it was the away side who dominated large periods of possession as they looked to take the game to Wycombe.
Adam Le Fondre blazed wide from fifteen yards, and Rene Howe was only denied by a brave diving save from Frank Fielding in the dying moments of the half.
The on-loan Blackburn man made a welcome return to the starting line up after a break of two games, and put in yet another assured performance between the sticks.
Referee Mr Ward's whistle was probably a welcome sound for the Blues as they trudged off at the break, in a first half where Rochdale could quite easily have found themselves one goal up.
Dale manager Keith Hill's side seemed to pick up where they left off, and as Wycombe's offside trap faltered early on - captain Gary Jones was again denied by a great one on one stop by Fielding.
It was the Rochdale goalie who was to be called into action next, as a superb Russell Martin free-kick was flicked on by David McCracken - who was only denied his first goal for the club after a quite wonderful reactionary save from Sam Russell.
This seemed to spur the Wanderers forward slightly as they looked for the win, helped by the introduction of new boy Leon Knight on the hour mark.
Frank Fielding was called into action once more as the Dale broke away with a Le Fondre effort moments later, and Paul Lambert tried to change things around with the introduction of Martin Bullock and Stefan Oakes.
It was the latter who nearly gave the Blues the lead in trademark style, after his 25-yard free-kick went just a whisker wide of Russell's post after Matt Bloomfield was felled outside the area.
It was always going to be a sucker punch for either side to concede late on, and unfortunately for Paul Lambert it was the Wanderers who were to suffer that particular fate.
Moments after he made a superb last ditch challenge on new Rochdale striker Rene Howe to keep the scores level, Craig Woodman miss controlled a high cross in the area after 89 minutes - and in his efforts to redeem the blunder felled substitute Muirhead in the six-yard-box.
Referee Mr Ward pointed to the spot after consulting his linesman, and Kennedy sent the unlucky Fielding the wrong way; sending the away fans into rapturous celebrations.
The drama was not yet over.
Gary Holt found himself in on goal after a wonderful through ball from Stefan Oakes - but the Scottish international went down after a seemingly heavy challenge in the box.
To the outrage of the Wanderers players and fans the referee waved play on - ending any Wycombe hopes of a dramatic equaliser.
It was a controversial moment that left a sour taste in the mouth for the home side, though if they were brutally honest they could never have claimed to be the better side throughout.
Scott McGleish came close in the last seconds after good work from Leon Knight, but it was not to be and the home support were left to vent their frustrations at the officials as they departed the ground.
After a great Christmas period that has propelled the Chairboys well into the playoffs, this result will be a setback for the lads - but they will look to put things right when they travel to Rotherham for a tough game next Saturday.
Wycombe: Fielding, Johnson, McCracken, Woodman, Bloomfield, Doherty (Oakes 66), Holt, Torres (Bullock 65), Martin, McGleish, Sutton (Knight 61).
Subs Not Used: Douglas, Stockley.
Booked: McCracken, Knight.
Rochdale: Russell, Ramsden, Stanton, McArdle, Kennedy, Jones, Doolan, Perkins, Howe, Higginbotham (Muirhead 70), Le Fondre (Thompson 86).
Subs Not Used: Spencer, D'Laryea, Holness.
Booked: Higginbotham, McArdle.
Goals: Kennedy 90 pen.
Att: 4,493
Ref: Gavin Ward (Surrey).
