Accrington Stanley fought all the way but lost 2-0 to promotion-chasing Wycombe Wanderers at the Wham Stadium.
Stanley were lively and former Reds loan keeper Max Stryjek did well to keep out the Reds on a number of occasions but Josh Scowen’s first half strike and Garath McCleary’s 90th minute effort proved the difference.
It was a fourth successive League One win for Gareth Ainsworth’s side but Stanley will believe they have plenty to build on, especially as they created a host of chances which manager John Coleman had demanded.
It also saw a welcome return to action of a couple of players as they make their way back from injury.
Coleman kept the same side which drew 0-0 with Cheltenham but the Stanley bench saw the return of the experienced Michael Nottingham and Seamus Conneely.
Aaron Pressley had an early looping header to test Stryjek while, at the other end, Lukas Jensen did well to keep out Brandon Hanlan in a lively opening.
Wycombe opened the scoring on 18 minutes when a Jason McCarthy cross was blocked by Mo Sangare and it came out to Josh Scowen on the edge of the area who ran onto the ball and rifled the it home.
Sean McConville had the ball in the net on 28 minutes, getting a touch to a flick on from Rosaire Longelo’s cross, but it was ruled off-side.
Sam Vokes forced a diving save out of Jensen and Lewis Wing’s long range blast was over the bar for the visitors.
The lively Longelo and Liam Coyle both couldn’t find the target with their efforts as Stanley pressed for an equaliser before the break.
After the re-start, Stanley began well with Longelo’s strike was deflected just beyond Stryjek and Pressley’s strike was just wide of goal.
Tommy Leigh came off the bench on 50 minutes to add to the Reds’ attacking options but it was Wycombe who came close next when Hanlan raced through but was denied by the legs of Jensen.
Chem Campbell struck an effort wide in a good position as the game went from end to end.
On 59 minutes Stryjek pulled off a superb double save to firstly keep out Shaun Whalley and then Leigh’s follow-up as Stanley came close to an equaliser.
The Reds built up a head of steam as they pressed around the Wanderers’ box and it was a welcome return to the pitch for Nottingham and Mitch Clark, who both came on 71 minutes.
Former Stanley defender Joe Jacobson had a free kick deflected onto the roof of the net while, at the other end, Pressley’s strike on 84 minutes was straight at Stryjek.
On 90 minutes, Wycombe broke and sub McCleary put the ball between Jensen’s legs to make the game safe.
Stanley: Jensen, Fernandes, Pickles (Nottingham), Sangare (Butler-Oyedeji), Longelo, Coyle, Martin (Leigh), McConville (Clark), Quirk, Whalley, Pressley
Subs: Isherwood, Conneely, Woods
Yellow: Sangare, Coyle
Crowd: 1900 (201 #wwfc)