Wycombe Wanderers gained a vital point in the promotion race as they played out a 0-0 draw with Notts County in a feisty encounter at Meadow Lane.

Both sides had their opportunity in a high-tempo game with Wanderers having their best chances after the break.

On 58 minutes, Joe Jacobson found Adebayo Akinfenwa unmarked, who’s cross-shot found Nathan Tyson. Tyson found the net with a header but the assistant referee flagged for a marginal offside.

County hit the woodwork twice, once through Shola Ameobi and Scott Brown tipped Elliott Hewitt’s header onto the post brilliantly in the second half.

The home side also had two huge penalty shouts waved away by referee Ben Toner much to the anger of the County supporters.

The players were greeted by a cracking atmosphere inside Meadow Lane for this top-of-the-table clash.

It was a lively start from both sides, with Wanderers just about edging proceeding despite not creating any clear-cut chances.

County had the first shot on target on 15 minutes when Terry Hawkridge released Hewitt, who saw his firm shot well saved by Scott Brown.

Despite the Chairboys having the better of the play, Ameobi came so close to giving the home side the lead on 21 minutes when he met Hawkridge’s wicked cross but poked it against the upright from six yards.

Akinfenwa was proving, as usual, an excellent outlet for the Blues and he had a sniff of goal on 24 minutes but struck his effort over the bar.

It was a feisty encounter and Ameobi screamed for a penalty after a tussle with Adam El-Abd on 33 minutes but referee Toner denied the protests.

Notts manager Kevin Nolan was incensed at the failure to award a spot-kick and was sent to the stands in the process.

Brown then came to Wycombe’s rescue on 40 minutes when he made a magnificent save to deny the dangerous Hawkridge.

County had another good shout for a penalty when Ameobi went to ground on 47 minutes after a challenge from Michael Harriman but referee Toner once again refused their pleas.

Harriman had an audacious attempt in his first game since September on 55 minutes when Notts keeper Adam Collin punched the ball out to Harriman but his effort from 40 yards sailed over.

Wanderers had that goal ruled out before the game was ratcheted up a notch with both teams going for the win.

Wycombe had a half-chance on 70 minutes when Akinfenwa cushioned the ball down for Matt Bloomfield on the edge of the box but his left-footed strike went well off target.

Sido Jombati had a chance on 73 minutes when his header was cleared off the line from Jacobson’s corner but the referee blew for an infringement.

Akinfenwa came close for the Blues on 78 minutes when he bought down Brown’s long ball expertly and hit his fierce shot not far over.

The big striker had an even better opportunity a minute later when he met Mackail-Smith’s brilliant cross with a bullet header but Collin produced a superb save to deny him.

Both sides were going for the winner now and Brown produced another wonderful save on 81 minutes to deny Hewitt’s goalbound effort, tipping it on to the post from point-blank range.

The home side were trying to pile on the pressure but Wanderers were holding firm led brilliantly by Adam El-Abd and Jombati.

A decent point for the Blues who remain in third ahead of their home game with Grimsby Town on Monday.

WYCOMBE WANDERERS: Brown, Moore (sub: Harriman, 38), Jombati, El-Abd, Jacobson, Bean, O’Nien, Bloomfield, Tyson, Akinfenwa, Mackail-Smith (sub: Cowan-Hall, 90). Subs: Ma-Kalambay, Williams, Freeman, Kashket.

NOTTS COUNTY: Collin, Tootle, Duffy, Brisley, Jones, Alessandra, Hewitt, Noble, Hawkridge (sub: Grant, 63), Stead, Ameobi. Subs: Fitzsimons, Virtue, Walker, Smith, Husin, Hall.

REFEREE: Ben Toner