Wanderers 4

Southend 1

MATT McClure bagged a brace and Paris Cowan-Hall made it three goals in as many league games as Wycombe swatted off ten-man Southend and cemented their place at the top of League Two.

Ainsworth’s men made it three wins in a row for the first time this season in the competition, as McClure’s double banished fears over their patchy home form against the division’s in-form team.

The load was lightened for Blues after Shrimpers defender Jerome Binnom-Williams was shown a straight red on the hour mark for a lunge on Josh Scowen.

And Joe Jacobson’s fine free kick proved a highlight of an afternoon which started badly after the Shrimpers took the lead within two minutes.

Defeat to AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup second round last Sunday ended any remaining interest the Chairboys had in cup competitions, with the path now clear to focus on staying at the League Two summit.

Alfie Mawson, Fred Onyedinma and Danny Rowe all returned to the fold after missing the Dons defeat through ineligibility, as Wanderers looked to pick up the elusive third consecutive league win.

Blues have found it hard to replicate their strong away form so far this season, with only four home league wins compared to seven on the road coming into the tie.

Southend meanwhile came to Adams Park on a hot streak of four straight wins, with Phil Brown’s men staking a claim as fellow promotion rivals.

That fine run of form saw Brown pick collect the Manager of the Month award for November ahead of fellow nominee Ainsworth, who said before the games he felt the visitors would arrive as favourites.

And the Shrimpers were given a further boost with free festive travel for fans bringing 1000 in support from the seaside.

It was Southend who drew first blood within two minutes, when a cross from Myles Weston on the break found Jack Payne, who slotted in unchallenged from outside the six yard box with Blues defence scrabbling to catch up with play.

Weston roamed free again three minutes later, but this time his cross was stabbed away.

Peter Murphy almost fired Wanderers level when the ball bobbled back out to him on the edge of the box from McClure’s initial effort, but the midfielder’s lashed effort left the cross bar rattling.

Blues found it hard to construct many chances in the opening exchanges, spraying loose lay-offs dangerously around the midfield.

The visitors almost capitalised, with Weston again surging forward.

An impressive run by Scowen on the left wing was ended when John-Joe O’Toole bundled him off the ball, earning himself a yellow in the process.

And a period of Blues possession culminated in Wood lashing another one goalwards, but this time over.

Wanderers settled on the ball as the half wore on, putting together some neat passes and looking the better side as the half wore on.

And Cowan-Hall popped up to make it three in three league games with a fine volley from close range after a knock down from Aaron Pierre to bring the scores level just after the half hour mark. 

And McClure was handed the easiest of tap-ins to put Wanderers in front when Wood fizzed a low shot across the goalline just before the referee blew for half time.

Scowen gave away a free kick on the edge of the box after the restart, with Matt Ingram spilling the low shot but finally gathering.

Hayes took one for the team when he yanked down Shimpers captain Ryan Leonard and got his name taken by referee Graham Horwood.

The visitors pressed for an equaliser, with Scowen again giving away a free kick just outside the area.

And November’s League Two Player of the Month David Worrall could only curl his 20-yard shot comfortably over.

Barry Corr ran through on goal a minute later, but was watched all way by a vigilant Sido Jombati.

Binnom-Williams saw red for a studs-up lunge on Scowen, with the Blues midfielder receiving medical attention but managing to continue.

McClure nearly netted his second when his neat turn put him eyeball to eyeball with Southend keeper Dan Bentley, but the highly rated stopper smothered well.

But it was Jacobson who put the result beyond doubt with a beauty of a free kick from 25 yards, which Bentley could only tip into his own net.

And McClure popped up again to smash Blues’ fourth from 18-yards after wriggling into space.

Onyedinma had a golden opportunity to net on his home debut, but the Millwall loanee could only find the side netting when the ball rebounded into his path from close range.

Ryan Leonard did his best to grab a consolation late on for the visitors, but the captain smashed his free kick over.

And it proved an easier afternoon than first feared for Wanderers, with Ainsworth’s men overturning the early deficit with relative ease and picking up all three points at a chilly Adams Park to restore some pride at their home form.