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Wycombe Wanderers 0 Stockport County 0

Jon Keighren
26/ 3/2008

COUNTY’S record-breaking run of away wins ended with this goalless draw at Adams Park.

After eight successive victories on the road, the Hatters were unable to find a way past Paul Lambert’s dogged and determined Wycombe Wanderers.

County boss Jim Gannon described the game as ‘a disappointing spectacle’. In reality, it wasn’t as good as that.

But, with Hereford and Darlington both slipping up elsewhere, the draw leaves County well-placed for a final assault on the top three.

The first 45 minutes failed to produce a single shot on target at either end, although a lovely solo effort from Anthony Pilkington on the stroke of half-time went just wide of Frank Fielding’s right-hand post.

Three minutes after the restart, Wycombe missed a sitter when leading goalscorer Scott McGleish planted a header straight at Michael Rose, when it looked easier to find the back of the net, after a pinpoint cross from former Scotland international Gary Holt.

With skipper Ashley Williams absent on international duty with Wales, Michael Raynes partnered Gareth Owen at the back, and the defensive pairing kept Wanderers at bay for most of the game.

At the other end, Pilkington looked most likely to break the deadlock, but his tame shot on 49 minutes was blocked by Fielding in the Wycombe goal.

Despite both managers making double substitutions after the break, the stalemate continued, with both defences on top.

Goalscoring opportunities were at a premium, but midway through the second half County managed to spring the Chairboys’ offside trap through Liam Dickinson.

Keeper Fielding charged out of his area and sent Dickinson sprawling just outside the box; Fielding feared the worst, but despite a similar rush of blood just seconds earlier, he escaped with just a booking.

David Poole’s subsequent free kick drifted harmlessly beyond the far post, as the Hatters failed to capitalise from the situation, and Wanderers survived the scare.

John Ruddy was finally called into action 10 minutes from time to keep out a Stefan Oakes free kick. At the other end County had to wait until the final minute to force their one and only corner in the game, but it failed to produce a goal.

In the end, a point apiece for these promotion rivals, and both managers agreed it was probably a fair result.