WYCOMBE Wanderers extended their unbeaten run to four games with unlikely heroes Richard Harris and Steve Brown grabbing the goals in a bad tempered match.

The visitors started the better of the two sides with good chances falling to Wayne Andrews and Ben Burgess but Wycombe keeper Frank Talia was first to both attempts.

As the game wore on, Wycombe settled down and with the outstanding Dannie Bulman in midfield, things were looking promising.

On 25 minutes, Roger Johnson's challenge led to an Oldham corner. A low sweeping ball into the box defied the Wycombe defence, the ball struck Oldham striker Andrews and ended up beating a helpless Talia via the boot of Andy Thompson.

Wycombe spent the rest of the half battling to get themselves back into the game. Stuart Roberts found nearly every seat in the stand with his stray shooting and Craig Faulconbridge never looked like scoring for Wycombe.

The most entertaining part of the first 45 minutes was after the whistle had been blown when Oldham's Julian Baudet squared up to Michael Simpson, causing a huge fight in the centre of the pitch.

Wycombe officials, who battled to get the fighting players down the tunnel, had not planned this half-time entertainment.

The second period started as the first ended. Steve Brown was the victim of a strong challenge by Baudet, who was clearly still furious about the earlier fight. As Baudet rose from the ground he shouted and screamed at the referee and was then shown the red card.

Wycombe's centre half Andy Thompson missed a golden opportunity on 55 minutes when the ball bounced awkwardly to him but his lame swipe at the ball fell to Leslie Pogliacomi in the Oldham goal.

The game was fast flowing and both sides attacked with great intent but Wycombe's forwards still continued to miss the target as too many chances went begging. Bulman and Simpson in midfield still continued to run the show.

On 67 minutes Blues boss Lawrie Sanchez made a triple change. Stuart Roberts, Mark Rogers and Keith Ryan were replaced by Darren Currie, Lewis Cook and Richard Harris.

It took only five minutes for these substitutions to make an impact, when Currie's high cross floated into the area, fellow substitute Richard Harris out jumped the defence and headed over Pogliacomi to bring the scores level.

This goal gave Wycombe spirit and the 6,000 plus fans got behind Wycombe and the players responded with constant pressure on the Oldham goal.

On 83 minutes Danny Senda skipped into a useful position in the Oldham area but was fouled by Chris Armstrong and the penalty was awarded. Steve Brown stepped up and rolled the ball into the net with maximum ease to put Wycombe into the lead.

That lead lasted only 45 seconds when a goal-mouth scramble led to former Chesham player Fitz Hall rolling the ball to Tony Carss, who blasted brilliantly past Talia to equalise.

Although Oldham remain unbeaten away from home they looked far from promotion material against a fast-improving Wycombe side.

Wycombe: F Talia, K Ryan, D Senda, A Thompson, M Rogers (D Currie 67). R Johnson, S Brown, D Bulman, M Simpson, S Roberts, C Faulconbridge

Oldham Athletic: L Pogliacomi, C Armstrong, J Baudet, D Beharall, F Hall, W Hanning, C Duxbury, P Murray, J Eyre, B Burgess (S Vernon), W Andrews (T Carss)

Attendance: 6,226

January 21, 2003 11:00