Accrington Stanley 1, Wycombe Wanderers 1.

PARIS Cowan-Hall continued his hot streak in front of goal as he netted for the fourth game running but Wanderers had to settle for a point at Accrington Stanley.

The winger gave manager Gareth Ainsworth something to cheer from his sickbed – with the Blues boss unable to make the trip north due to illness – early on as he cut inside to bend a great strike into the net to put Wanderers in front.

But having controlled the first half with ease they allowed Stanley back into the contest as Sean Maguire’s header ensured the hosts claimed what was ultimately a deserved share of the spoils.

Wanderers remain top of the pile going into the busy festive schedule after picking up the point – and face the other two sides in the automatic promotion places, Luton Town and Shrewsbury Town, in successive holiday weekend fixtures.

The first half performance here will offer encouragement going into those matches, but Blues will be kicking themselves they failed to put more of a gap between themselves and the chasing pack by letting Stanley back into the game having made a strong start.

Last week’s two goal hero Matt McClure glanced a header over at the near post from a Joe Jacobson corner in the opening minute of the game, before Sam Wood advanced from midfield before ballooning a speculative effort off target.

A free kick from former Stanley man Jacobson looked to be on target from 25 yards out before it inadvertently struck his team mate McClure, while a set piece from Kal Naismith at the other end looked more threatening as it was deflected narrowly wide of the upright with keeper Matt Ingram scrambling across.

Wanderers had made by far the brighter start however and they were in front with just ten minutes played as Cowan-Hall broke the offside trap before curling a wonderful effort into the top of the net from the corner of the box with debutant keeper Luke Simpson helpless to keep it out.

Alfie Mawson skewed a header just over the top from another incisive Jacobson delivery before trying to catch Simpson out with a quickly taken free kick from 50 fully yards out, and the out-of-position keeper was relieved to see it flash wide.

The pressure from the visitors continued as Aaron Pierre’s header was blocked on the line by skipper Luke Joyce and Cowan-Hall wildly slashed the ball over the crossbar when it rebounded out to him.

Stanley rarely threatened as a weakly struck shot from Naismith was easy for McClure to smuggle clear, but the hosts almost drew level as a deflected cross-shot dropped for Tom Aldred and the defender spun past Pierre before blasting the ball just the wrong side of the angle of post and crossbar.

McClure came close to finishing off a move that he started, as he held the ball up and sent Wood scampering clear before crashing a volley narrowly when his team mate crossed it into the box with the outside of his right boot.

Blues had been in control of the first half and forced three corners in quick succession at the beginning of the second, and there was a growing sense they needed to take advantage and claim a second goal.

Within five minutes of the restart they were pegged back however as Naismith whipped a free kick into the area after a needlessly conceded foul by Jacobson, and Maguire rose highest to flick a header past Ingram for the equaliser.

Jacobson looked to make instant amends as he stood up a cross for Paul Hayes to head wide, before Ingram had to be alert to turn away another set piece delivery by Naismith from out wide that missed everyone and threatened to sneak in.

Wanderers’ keeper surpassed that with an even better save moments later, producing a flying block to tip over John O’Sullivan’s powerful header from point blank range, before making another good stop to foil Rob Atkinson at the near post as Stanley appealed in vain for a handball in the build-up.

Momentum had now switched into the home side’s favour but Cowan-Hall came close to restoring Wanderers’ lead as he expertly spun past Dean Winnard and held him off as he beat a path to goal before Simpson got just enough on his shot to turn it round the post.

Half chances went the way of both sides in a scrappy end to the game but neither team did enough to claim all three points.

Wanderers: Ingram, Jombati, Pierre, Mawson, Jacobson, Cowan-Hall, Murphy (sub Rowe), Scowen, Wood, Hayes (sub Holloway), McClure. Substitutes not used: Richardson, Lewis, Bloomfield, Craig, Onyedinma.

Attendance: 1,325 (185 from Wycombe)