Wycombe Wanderers lost for only the third time this calendar year as they fell to a 2-1 defeat away at Burton Albion.

Strikes from Dale Taylor and Joe Powell inside the opening 18 minutes gave the Brewers their fifth win in eight matches on what was a day to forget for the Chairboys.

Matt Bloomfield’s side could have taken the lead inside the opening 30 seconds through Sam Vokes, but his snap shot from just outside the box went wide.

Moments later, Nick Freeman nearly got his third of the season as his bending effort was brilliantly stopped by Craig MacGillivary.

However, against the run of play, Burton took the lead through Taylor’s second of the campaign.

The on-loan Nottingham Forest man easily brushed off Chris Forino 20-yards from goal, and after running a few yards into the box, he was there to cooly dispatch his effort beyond Max Stryjek on nine minutes.

Nine minutes later, the Brewers made it two through a brilliant finish by Powell.

Around 25-yards out, he took one touch to steady himself and smash it beyond a diving Strjyek.

It was his fourth of the campaign and his first in 2023.

Wycombe were given a lifeline on the stroke of half-time as Deji Oshilaja was given a straight red card for a tackle on Lewis Wing, but the opening 45 minutes belonged to the Brewers

Following the sending off, Bloomfield made changes to utilise the one man advantage as Chem Campbell, Josh Scowen, and Tjay De Barr all came on to salvage something in the Midlands.

Freeman hit the post, Vokes headed wide, and Wing was thwarted on several occasions by MacGillivary.

Then with 12 minutes to go, Wanderers were given a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty.

Forino was fouled by Jasper Moon in the box, up stepped Joe Jacobson who blazed his spot-kick over.

Wycombe did pull one back with five minutes remaining through Tjay De Barr’s first Football League goal, but the day belonged to Burton.

Wycombe remain outside the top six.

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