TWO goals from Sean Devine and Mark Rogers in the space of three minutes were enough to give Wycombe all three points at a rain-soaked Adams Park.

The Blues came from behind after Lee Peacock had given the visitors the lead on 63 minutes to clinch their second double of the season and maintain their outside hopes for promotion.

It was the home side that began the brightest and Stuart Roberts looked lively, nearly connecting with a Devine flick after nine minutes but City keeper Steve Phillips was able to beat him to it. Roberts again was unlucky when Scott Murray missed a header and the young Welshman's shot was well parried by Phillips.

In a slow first half, Danny Bulman came closest to giving Wanderers the lead when his 33rd minute shot was excellently headed off the line by Matthew Hill.

However, it was the visitors who came closest to breaking the deadlock when, after 39 minutes, Peacock's back-post header hit the upright and Canadian international Mark Rogers was on hand to clear the rebound away.

They came close again four minutes later when good work on the left wing by Mickey Bell set free Marvin Brown. The City striker rounded Martin Taylor but Rogers was on hand again to clear away his cutback. The away fans thought they had taken the lead seconds before half time, but Murray's shot merely hit the side netting.

Wycombe again started the second half well, despite the deluge, with Devine and Roger Johnson coming close. However, after 63 minutes they were behind when Murray again pushed down the right flank and his cross was knocked in by Peacock to spark exuberant celebrations from the West Country faithful.

The lead was short-lived however, as five minutes later Andy Baird, on for Jermaine McSporran, was fouled near the edge of the box. Murray moved too soon from the resultant free kick and his protests allowed Wanderers to move the ball to the edge of the area. The second time Devine struck the ball low and underneath the wall to give him his first goal since his return from injury.

After 73 minutes the Chairboys were ahead when a scramble in the box presented Mark Rogers with the opportunity to poke the ball into the top corner. Unfortunately in the move building up to the goal, Bulman was accidentally kicked in the head as he challenged for the ball and had to be replaced by Steve Brown.

Despite heavy pressure from the visitors Wycombe could have snatched a third when Devine's shot was saved and Roberts hit the side netting from the deflection.

However, City had two chances to score late on, the first falling to Steve Jones, whose failed to score when put through, with Murray heading the rebound weakly at Taylor. The second came as Taylor fumbled a cross, but his defence were able to clear the ball.

The win meant Wycombe are still in with an outside chance of promotion to the First Division, but they still have work to do as they lie outside the top ten.

Wycombe- Taylor, Vinnicombe, Devine, Roberts, McSporran (Baird 60), Rogers, Currie (Ryan 78), Bulman (Brown 74), Simpson, Senda, Johnson.

Bristol City- Phillips, Tinnion, Marvin Brown (Jones 65), Hill, Bell, Peacock, Burnwell, Aaron Brown (Clist 88), Carey, Murray, Coles.

Att. 7972

February 14, 2002 13:38