Wycombe Wanderers fell to their third League Two defeat in a row after suffering a 4-2 loss to Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Much of the action came in a 10 minute spell either side of half-time which saw four goals scored and Wanderers slip from being level at 1-1 to 4-2 down.

Paul Hayes gave the Blues an early lead but Christian Burgess’ scrappy effort and a Gary Roberts penalty after Sido Jombati’s handball made it 2-1 to Pompey.

Hayes’ second levelled the scores and Conor Chaplin then made it 3-2 almost immediately, before Carl Baker completed the scoring in the second half.

Wanderers have now conceded 10 goals in their last three league matches and will look to lift themselves for the visit of Stevenage next week.

They will go into that match a place above the relegation zone after a late Hartlepool goal prevented Yeovil from leapfrogging them in the table.

After being left on the bench for the 4-1 drubbing against Luton last week, Aaron Pierre returned at centre-back as Wycombe opted for a 4-3-3 formation.

Gareth Ainsworth also handed a first start to Southampton loanee Dominic Gape who, along with the inclusion of Sam Wood and Garry Thompson, made up one of four changes.

Portsmouth came into the match on the back of beating Crawley Town 3-0 last time out at Fratton Park, but were behind in the 10th minute.

The build-up play was as simple as it was superb in its execution as Michael Harriman floated an excellent cross-field pass into Garry Thompson.

The forward barely had to break his stride before volleying across goal from the right for Hayes to tap in from point blank range. Wanderers were inches from a second 14 minutes later as Hayes’ flick on ran invitingly for Wood.

Wood’s pace took him away from the Tom Davies and allowed him to get a shot away on the stretch from 12 yards.

The effort beat David Forde all ends up and cannoned back off the crossbar to the relief of the Pompey keeper.

Paul Cook’s side offered little in the opening stages but sparked into life with half an hour on the clock.

Their best spell of the game almost yielded the leveller but Milan Lalkovic’s close range effort was well saved by Jamal Blackman.

Pompey wouldn’t have to wait long for the equaliser, however, as a 34th minute corner gave them a route back into the game.

The goal was far from pretty as a poorly hit corner fell to Carl Baker and his volley was well saved by Jamal Blackman.

The ensuing melee to get to the rebound saw the ball loop over the Wycombe keeper and allowed Burgess to bundle home from virtually on the goal line.

After looking so comfortable for much of the half, Wanderers were behind on the stroke of half-time as Portsmouth made the most of their dominance.

They were gifted the lead in many ways after Jombati clearly handled to allow Roberts to smash a high penalty past Blackman.

The strike started a truly crazy conclusion to the half as Wycombe went back down the other end and equalised almost immediately.

Again it was Hayes who came to the fore when his side needed him as he collected the ball inside the box and fired across Forde with the outside of his right foot.

The strike should have seen Wycombe go into the half-time break at 2-2 but a moment of class from Chaplin ensured they wouldn’t.

After chasing down an apparent lost cause Chaplin flicked the ball over an overcommitted Anthony Stewart on the left by-line.

With Blackman advancing, the Pompey man instantly headed over his considerable 6ft 6in frame to score and cap a frantic conclusion to the half.

Portsmouth should have put daylight between themselves and Wycombe six minutes after the restart. A long kick forward picked out the ever busy Chaplin in space on the left and his cross found Roberts unmarked at the back post.

Somehow he contrived to head wide from a yard out. Fortunately for Roberts Portsmouth wouldn’t have to wait long to increase their advantage.

Again the danger came from the left and Wanderers allowed Enda Stevens the freedom of Fratton Park to send a deep cross towards Baker.

His volley was well controlled and squeaked inside Blackman’s near post despite the Chelsea loanee getting a hand on the ball.

With a two goal cushion to defend, Portsmouth were able to settle on the ball more and were well in control of proceedings.

Wanderers’ threat going forward had all but vanished and the hosts looked capable of extending their lead at any moment.

Ainsworth’s side did go close to scoring a third with 16 minutes to play as Gape reacted quickest to a loose ball on the edge of the box.

The midfielder’s low effort deflected and skipped just wide of the left upright.

It was the closest Wanderers came to getting back into the game and they failed to put Portsmouth under serious pressure, despite introducing Adebayo Akinfenwa and Dayle Southwell late on.

Portsmouth: Forde, Evans, Davies, Burgess, Stevens, Baker, Doyle, Rose, Lalkovic (Naismith HT), Roberts (Hunt 88), Main (Chaplin 25)

Subs not used: O’Brien, Clarke, Smith, Linganzi

Wycombe Wanderers: Blackman, Jombati (Akinfenwa 80), Stewart, Pierre, Harriman, Gape, Bloomfield, Rowe (McGinn 86), Thompson, Hayes (Southwell 80), Wood

Subs not used: Richardson, Freeman, De Havilland Kashket

Referee: Tim Robinson

Bookings: Jombati (42 handball), Gape (62 foul on Davies), Baker (73 foul on Blackman), Blackman (73 dissent)

Attendance: 16,262 (Away 489)