WYCOMBE crucially gained ground on their nearest rivals Chesterfield at the bottom of Division Two as they soundly beat Grimsby Town 4-1 at the Causeway Stadium.

Luke Moore was the Chairboys' hero as he fired a superb hat trick to shatter the Mariners and give Wanderers fans some New Year hope in the desperate battle for relegation that Wycombe have found themselves in.

Wycombe began the game brightly and scored after only five minutes. Recent loan signing Nathan Tyson collected the ball out wide from Michael Simpson and delivered a precise cross which enabled Moore to bundle in from close range.

However, retaining a lead has been Wycombe's main downfall in this difficult season so far as opposed to scoring goals. This was evident as only four minutes after Moore's opener Grimsby equalised. Phil Jevons' left-wing cross was firmly headed into the net by ex-Chairboy Iffy Onoura to dampen the suddenly optimistic if modest Blues crowd.

However, rather than collapse and allow Grimsby to control the game, Wycombe were able to exert a little pressure on the opposition defence and were rewarded when Jermaine McSporran scored a sensational goal in the 27th minute. Darren Currie, recalled after missing the Rushden and Diamonds match the previous weekend, centred the ball from the left-wing and McSporran connected with a sweet volley which sizzled into the far corner of the net from nearly 20 yards out.

The half ended with few moments of real excitement and although they took a lead into the second half, Wycombe fans could be forgiven for being pessimistic about their chances of hanging onto it.

However, the players seemed determined to prove the doubters wrong and were not only able to hold onto their lead from the first half, but double the amount of goals as well.

The same combination that created the first Wycombe goal linked up again to help Wycombe score a third after 51 minutes. Wycombe put together a wonderful passing move which led to the impressive Tyson crossing for Moore who again finished from close range.

Neither side created a lot for the rest of the half, although Currie did fired over the bar from long range. Grimsby fans conceded defeat near the end but those who remained were able to witness Luke Moore's first professional hat trick being completed. He saved his best for last with a terrific shot from 25 yards following a nice one-two move with Currie. The Aston Villa loan signing looks promising and seems to have made a significant difference to Wycombe's battered striking options.

The Chairboys played well and deserved the three points. The additions of loan signings Tyson and Stuart Nethercott to the side seemed to have a positive impact and certainly improved the quality of Wycombe's all round display. However, Wycombe's other league victories have preceded poor performances and defeats, so the fans may still be unconvinced as to whether the players have the ability to dig themselves out of deep trouble before the end of the season.

Wycombe: Williams, Taylor, Nethercott, Marshall, Simpemba, McSporran, Simpson, Bulman, Currie, Tyson, Moore.

Subs: Talia, Brown, Ryan, Faulconbridge, Roberts.

Grimsby: Davison, Cas, Crane, Edwards, McDermott, Campbell, Hamilton, Pouton, Jevons, Onuora, Boulding.

Subs: Mansaram, Groves, Anderson, Ford, Young.

Referee: M Cooper (West Midlands).

Att: 4519