SEAN Devine scored his third goal in three games to put even more pressure on Wycombe's play-off rivals.

Wycombe started brightly with the midfield dominating for the first 10 minutes. It was on nine minutes that Darren Currie, Danny Senda, and Stuart Roberts showed their class with some great passing moves that got Wycombe into threatening positions.

It was the home side that made the first chance through Jason Tindall who sent a shot flying across the face of goal much to the relief of Martin Taylor. Wycombe's first chance came from Martin Lee who rounded two players but his shot endangered the corner flag more than Gareth Stewart's goal.

The home side started to look dangerous with Jamie Hayter shining but young Roger Johnson showed defensive class and helped keep the Cherries at bay.

On 20 minutes Roberts showed great skill down the Wycombe left flank and his cross was just inches too high for Devine whose header narrowly missed the target. Then three minutes later it was Chris Vinnicombe, who tore the Bournemouth's left sided players to shreds and his low cross fell to Devine, but unfortunately there was never enough time for the Wycombe striker to get a shot on goal.

Bournemouth did attack in spells but failed to trouble Taylor in the Wycombe goal and impressive performances by Rogers and Johnson helped stop Bournemouth in their tracks.

The rest of the first period was played in the middle of the park with both sides happy to pass the ball around on the beautifully prepared surface. Roberts, Currie and Simpson again working hard to ensure Wycombe kept possession of the ball.

All square at half time, this would be a very good result for Wycombe considering they have only won at Bournemouth once since joining the football league.

The second half started unusually with referee Mr B Curson being forced to award five foul throws in the space of thirty seconds. On fifty minutes the ever-improving Danny Bulman carved through the Bournemouth midfield but his shot was straight at Stewart in the home sides goal.

Bournemouth substitute Chucky' Eribenne caused chaos in the Wycombe box and Johnson came close to putting through his own goal but for the intervention of Martin Taylor low to his left.

On the hour Wycombe's impressive young centre back Johnson hobbled off an was replaced by Blues veteran Keith Ryan whose versatility meant he slotted straight into the centre of defence with Mark Rogers.

Five minutes later the breakthrough came for Wycombe when Senda's shot was well saved and Devine scored his third goal in three games after that nightmare injury lay-off of 22 months.

In the 75th minute Jermaine McSporran wasted a potentially good chance when he blasted the ball in to the stand behind the goal.

Two minutes later Bournemouth attacked and captain Eddie Howe rose above the Wycombe defenders and headed the home side level.

From then on the game looked as if was heading for a draw until the fourth official displayed five minutes of injury time. This lifted Wycombe and seemed to be a kick in the teeth for Bournemouth. With only seconds left the inconsistent Jermaine McSporran showed what he is capable of with a rare headed goal that couldn't be stopped by Stewart.

A great away win for Lawrie Sanchez's team who really do look good for the play-offs now but with games against Blackpool (home), Wigan (away) and local rivals Reading at Adams Park it is vital the Blues keep their winning form.

Bournemouth: G Stewart, S Purches, E Howe, J Tindall, S Maher, R Hughes, G O'Conner (D Thomas 70), C Fletcher, W Elliott (A Foyewa 74), T Kandol (C Eribenne 52), J Hayter.

Wycombe: M Taylor, C Vinnicombe, M Rogers, R Johnson (K Ryan 60), D Senda, D Currie, M Simpson, D Bulman, M Lee ( S Brown 52), S Roberts (J McSporran 67),S Devine

Att: 5807

By Adam Cooper

February 16, 2002 22:30