Michael Harriman scored the only goal as Wycombe Wanderers secured a 1-0 win over Mansfield Town at Adams Park.

The former QPR man’s strike came with a huge slice of luck as his cross from the right beat everyone to find the back of the net.

The result sees the Chairboys move up to seventh in League Two with just eight games to play.

On a lazy bank holiday Friday, you could be forgiven for thinking Wycombe Wanderers and Mansfield had opted to take the day off in what was a turgid first half.

An inventive corner form Joe Jacobson created the first chance of the day as he picked out Aaron Pierre on the edge of the box after eight minutes.

The burly centre-back hooked a powerful volley towards goal but saw his effort well blocked as it hurtled towards the top corner.

A departure from the 4-3-3 formation which the Blues had employed in their last three matches saw Paul Hayes return up front to partner Garry Thompson in a 4-4-2.

It was a combination which worked well in the early stages as the veteran forwards both had decent efforts from range inside 20 minutes.

First Thompson controlled smartly on the edge of the box and drilled a volley straight at Scott Shearer in the 17th minute.

Moments later Hayes tried his luck as he settled on the ball 15 yards from goal and sent a rasping drive fizzing past the right hand upright.

Mansfield had offered little to concern the Chairboys but were almost ahead as a loose ball broke into the path of Chris Clements.

The Stags’ midfielder could only prod a weak shot towards goal and the onrushing Ryan Allsop smothered with ease.

With Wycombe and Mansfield coming into the game with 40 and 47 league goals respectively, the poor quality in the final third was hardly surprising.

Thompson had the final meaningful chance of the first period as his close-range header was tipped over the bar by Shearer.

Wycombe came out for the second half with a greater intensity and twice went close to taking the lead inside the opening 10 minutes of the half.

Thompson, who was restricted to feeding of scraps for much of the match did well to control volley from 30 yards which dipped just over the bar.

Moments later Jason McCarthy had a golden chance to add to his two goals for the season as he latched onto a loose ball inside the Mansfield area, but could only lash wide.

The Blues eventually found their winner as Harriman showed the sort of drive lacking throughout much of the game.

First the winger controlled a high Aaron Pierre pass wide on the right before beating his man and sending a left-footed cross curling towards the back post.

The ball eluded the outstretched leg of Paul Hayes and found its way into the bottom right corner after Shearer had been left wrong footed by the Wycombe skipper’s presence.

Wycombe were dominant now and a could have gone further ahead as a smart pass from debutant Jerell Sellers played a fine pass to Luke O’Nien.

With Shearer racing out to meet him O’Nien tried to lift the ball over the keeper, but his effort lacked the required height and was well blocked by the Stags keeper.

Ainsworth’s side held out from their and will look to Monday’s match at Notts County to build on a run of four games in a row without defeat.

Wycombe Wanderers (4-4-2):  Allsop, McCarthy, Stewart, Pierre, Jacobson, Harriman, O’Nien, McGinn, Wood (Sellers 7), Hayes (c) (88 Kretzschmar), Thompson (Sellars 77)

Subs not used: Siegrist; Jombati, Liburd, Ugwu

Mansfield Town (4-4-2): Mansfield Town: Shearer, Alfei, Pearce, Tafazolli, Benning (Thomas 83), Rose (Kavanagh 77), Collins (c), Clements, Blair (Daniel 62), Dieseruvwe, Green

Subs not used: Jensen, Chapman, Beardsley McGuire

Referee: Iain Williamson

Bookings: Harriman (68 celebration)

Attendance:  5,003