WYCOMBE WANDERERS secured a first away league win since February, as Aaron Pierre smashed home deep into stoppage time with a 2-1 win over Cambridge at the Abbey Stadium.

Pierre crashed the ball into the roof of the net from the middle of the area after the home side failed to deal with Joe Jacobson’s corner.

The defender’s firmly struck winner was preceded by what could have been a hearbreaking equaliser with four minutes to go when George Maris swept home past an inspired Jamal Blackman after substitute Uche Ikpeazu’s shot had hit the post.

After just five minutes, Paul Hayes had given Wycombe the lead when he scored from the spot after Pierre was felled by Mark Roberts on a freezing November afternoon.

However, the Chairboys were indebted to Blackman, on loan from Chelsea, who pulled off a string of fantastic saves to deny the home side all three points.

The game started at a lively tempo with the home side having a lot of possession but not much to show for it before skipper Hayes beat Will Norris with a clinical penalty.

The U’s then set about camping inside the Wycombe half and Michael Harriman twice defended well to clear the danger.

Wycombe, though, were always a danger with their direct style of play and Akinfenwa had a near post shot saved on 18 minutes from Hayes’ flick on.

The away side’s defensive shape in the first half was excellent as they restricted Cambridge to half chances with Blackman saving bravely from Halliday being Cambridge’s best chance.

Gareth Ainsworth’s men did threaten sporadically and Paris Cowan-Hall missed a golden chance on 32 minutes when he headed over Luke O’Nien’s sublime cross.

Referee Trevor Kettle waved away a couple of penalty shouts for Cambridge as they continued to press and probe the Wycombe defence.

Cambridge’s Josh Coulson was then stretchered off which led to 11 minutes injury time, but the away side dealt with any attacks comfortably as half time approached.

Shaun Derry threw caution to the wind, bringing on Ikpeazu for Piero Mingoia and the move almost paid immediate dividends when the striker turned and shot but saw his effort smartly saved.

Brad Halliday followed up Blackman’s parry but skewed wide when it was easier to score.

Blackman then pulled off two even better saves to deny Derry’s team. The keeper brilliantly tipped wide Roberts’ header from Halliday’s pinpoint cross.

Moments later, the young stopper excelled again when the luckless Roberts was denied by an incredible point blank save.

Ikpeazu continued to cause numerous problems for the Chairboys and Stewart followed Pierre and Dominic Gape into the referee’s book.

By now, the U’s were running Wycombe ragged and some lovely play resulted in another good save by Blackman from Adams, before he dived bravely at Maris’ feet.

Ainsworth freshened things up with just over 15 minutes to go, bringing off the energetic Cowan-Hall for Garry Thompson.

The break in play enabled the away side to venture forward with Norris getting to the loose ball before Bloomfield. Seconds later, Jacobson’s inviting corner found Stewart but he headed wide.

Wycombe seemed to have weathered a heavy storm for the time being and O’Nien went close with a volley on 79 minutes.

O’Nien was beginning to cause some real problems for the home side and a superb run on 82 minutes set up a Wycombe corner which was eventually cleared.

Then in the dying embers, Jacobson delivered arguably his worst corner of the game and Pierre was on hand to thump home.

All roads lead to Newport now on Tuesday (kick off 7.45pm) and Ainsworth will hope his team can get on a roll away from home.

WYCOMBE WANDERERS: Blackman, Harriman, Jacobson, Stewart, Pierre, Gape, O’Nien, Bloomfield, Cowan-Hall (sub: Thompson, 74), Akinfenwa, Hayes (sub: Wood, 65). Subs: Brown, Jombati, Bean, De Havilland, Kashket.

CAMBRIDGE UNITED: Norris, Adams, Roberts, Mingoia (sub: Ikpeazu, 46), Berry, Williamson, Coulson (sub: Legge, 45), Maris, Clark, Newton, Halliday. Subs: Gregory, Taylor, Long, Dallison, Pigott.

REFEREE: Trevor Kettle

ATTENDANCE: 4,139 (Wycombe 437)