Wycombe Wanderers suffered another setback on the road when they lost 1-0 to Accrington Stanley at a drenched Crown Ground.

Both sides had chances in Lancashire but it was the home side who scored the only goal of the game with 20 minutes to go.

Defender Mark Hughes stroked the ball home after Wanderers failed to clear Sean McConville’s free-kick.

Wanderers had a great chance to open the scoring on five minutes when a sweeping cross from Joe Jacobson found the in-form Craig Mackail-Smith but he saw his effort tipped wide by Aaron Chapman.

Wycombe made a positive start in the opening 10 minutes, with the rain driving down at the Crown Ground.

Although Accrington looked a threat on the break, the Blues had the better chances early on and Adebayo Akinfenwa headed just wide on 17 minutes from Jacobson’s superb delivery.

Accrington’s first real effort came on 27 minutes when Kayden Jackson worked some space and his deflected shot was well held by Scott Brown in the wet conditions.

Stanley were starting to look dangerous as half-time approached with a series of corners being bravely defended by the Chairboys.

McConville came close to breaking the deadlock on 38 minutes but his free kick from 20 yards went sailing over.

Brown then made a magnificent save two minutes later when McConville’s terrific ball in was met by Janoi Donacien but the Wycombe stopper made a tremendous point-blank save.

Billy Kee was the next to have a crack from the home side on 44 minutes but his firm effort went well over after good work by Mallik Wilks.

The game was evenly poised as it entered the second half, but Wycombe started the brighter with Luke O’Nien to the fore.

McConville had Stanley’s first attempt in the second half on 53 minutes as his 25-yard shot went inches wide of the target.

Brown denied McConville six minutes later, tipping away his effort from the edge of the area.

John Coleman’s men were beginning to get on top and Ben Richards-Everton saw his header saved smartly by the impressive Brown.

The pressure from the home side paid off with 20 minutes to go when Mark Hughes sidefooted past Brown as Wanderers failed to clear their lines.

Brown was called into action yet again when he expertly palmed away Jackson’s long-ranger with nine minutes remaining.

Paris Cowan-Hall had an opportunity to level on 85 minutes but he headed straight at Chapman from Jacobson’s set-piece.

Akinfenwa almost haunted Accrington again with the last chance as he met O'Nien's cross but Chapman gratefully held the ball.

The defeat moves Wycombe out of the playoffs as they prepare to face Yeobil at Adams Park on Saturday.

WYCOMBE WANDERERS: Brown, Jombati (sub: Southwell, 78), Stewart, El-Abd (sub: Scarr, 67), Jacobson, Bloomfield, O’Nien, Eze, Cowan-Hall, Akinfenwa, Mackail-Smith (sub: Bean, 46). Subs: Ma-Kalambay, Freeman.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY: Chapman, Hughes, Donacien, Richards-Everton, Brown, Jackson, McConville, Wilks (sub: McLeod, 80), Johnson, Rawson, Kee. Subs: Stryjek, Nolan, Thorniley, Ogle, Mohammed, Watson.

REFEREE: Ross Joyce

ATTENDANCE: 1,119 (Wycombe 111)