Wycombe Wanderers' poor run on the road continued when James Jones struck an 87th minute penalty to hand Crewe Alexandra a 2-1 win in their League Two encounter at Gresty Road.

Referee Michael Salisbury adjudged that George Ray was fouled by Sido Jombati with three minutes to go which allowed Jones to smash the spot kick past Jamal Blackman.
Gareth Ainsworth was then sent to the stands by the official, seemingly for inferring that Salisbury gave the wrong decision leading to that goal.

On 75 minutes, it looked as if Adebayo Akinfenwa’s textbook finish would give Wycombe a deserved point.

‘The Beast’ struck when he turned and placed an expert shot into the corner beyond the reach of Crewe keeper Ben Garratt.

Crewe had taken the lead on 10 minutes when Chris Dagnall got past Joe Jacobson in the area and his shot proved too hot to handle for Jamal Blackman, with the ball creeping over the line before Sido Jombati could clear.

Garratt was just the busier of the two goalkeepers overall in a lively and open clash in Cheshire.

The Railwaymen took the lead with the very first chance of the game before Wanderers responded with a chance of their own when Alex Jakubiak saw his 20 yard strike on 13 minutes well held by Ben Garratt.

Sam Wood then had an excellent chance to equalise on 18 minutes when Akinfenwa laid it to him 10 yards out but his shot was smartly saved by Garratt.

Scott Kashket had a sniff of an opportunity on 29 minutes but blazed his long-range volley well over the bar.

Akinfenwa had another effort on 37 minutes when Joe Jacobson’s free kick found him in the box but Garratt saved comfortably from his header.

Wanderers were certainly on top with half-time approaching, winning set pieces which Crewe were struggling to deal with.

Jakubiak had another go from distance three minutes before the break but Garratt was again equal to it.

Crewe almost doubled their advantage on 54 minutes when Jones smashed a shot just wide of the upright.

The Chairboys came back a minute later with a chance of their own but Wood failed to connect properly with Jacobson’s terrific cross.

Both teams were having a decent amount of possession in the second period but neither side were able to create too many clear-cut opportunities.

The Railwaymen came close on 71 minutes when George Cooper’s free kick was deflected inches wide with Blackman struggling.

Wanderers were still probing away in the hope of getting an equaliser and Luke O’Nien had a shot well held after excellent work by Jakubiak on the left.

However, a minute later that man Akinfenwa gave Wycombe a foothold in the game before the controversial talking point of Jones’ penalty gave David Artell’s men maximum points.

So, another defeat on their travels for Ainsworth’s side who look to bounce back at home to Carlisle on Saturday.

WYCOMBE WANDERERS: Blackman, Jombati, Pierre (sub: De Havilland, 46), Stewart, Jacobson, Gape, Wood (sub: Saunders, 68), O’Nien, Jakubiak, Akinfenwa, Kashket (sub: Thompson, 57). Subs: Richardson, Bean, Harriman, Freeman.

CREWE ALEXANDRA: Garratt, Turton, Guthrie, Ray, Nugent, Jones, Dagnall (sub: Kiwomya, 74), Cooper (sub: Ng, 89), Hollands (sub: Wintle, 21), Bowery, Cooke. Subs: Richards, Bakayogo, Ainley, Dale.

ATTENDANCE: 2,896 (Wycombe 169)

REFEREE: Michael Salisbury