Blues bank first away point

WANDERERS achieved their first away point of the season while Hartlepool grabbed their first home point of the campaign.

But for a long time it looked as though Blues would take all three points as they looked comfortable on the 50th minute lead given to them by recalled striker Stuart Beavon, until Adam Boyd's 79th minute out of the blue equaliser when yet again Wycombe switched off from a free-kick.

It was tough on Wycombe who had carried the second half fight and even tougher on Beavon, who must have thought he had notched the winner.

Beavon's goal against Watford for the reserves in midweek prompted boss Peter Taylor to bring him back and he repaid the faith with a power-packed performance topped off by his 50th minute strike, in off the post from the edge of the area.

But it wasn't just his goal. He was constantly probing and pushing Wycombe forward when he wasn't making things happen at one end he was back helping out with defensive duties – and even after Boyd's 79th minute equaliser for Pool it was busy Beavon who looked most likely to put Blues back in charge.

He was one of three changes Taylor made for the clash, dropping Matt Harrold, Matt Phillips and Ian Westlake to the bench to make way for Jon-Paul Pittman and Marlon Pack to also come in.

The Blues took the field in a 4-2-3-1 shape with Pack and Mousinho operating as holding midfielders allowing Stuart Green, Chris Zebroski and Beavon to forage forward in support of Pittman.

But the first chance fell to the hosts from a quick break after a Beavon led Wycombe attack broke down.

Pool broke smartly and Anthony Sweeney warmed keeper Scott Shearer's fingers after being threaded in by James Brown.

On 11 minutes it was Hartlepool's turn to panic as Michael Duberry looped a header from a Craig Woodman free kick onto the roof.

Chances were coming at either end.

Wanderers were caught napping at the back and when Luke Oliver only half cleared Denis Behan's cut back the dangerous Sweeney wastefully fired over the top.

The play quickly switched to the other end though and Green was just a whisker away with a low drive after a swift Wycombe break.

The game was probably too open in midfield for boss Peter Taylor's liking and the home side's Andy Monkhouse took advantage of the space to have a crack from distance which felw a foot over the Wanderers goal.

But it was Wycombe who should have opened the scoring on 28 minutes.

The industrious Beavon released Pittman into the box but with just the keeper too beat the former Crawley striker's touch was too heavy, allowing home keeper Scott Flinders to smother before he could get his shot away.

It was an excellent chance and seconds later Hartlepool fashioned one of their own out of nothing with a snart turn and shot from Brown which found Shearer's gloves.

Next up it was McSweeney to try his luck lashing just over from the angle of the box.

Hartlepool were building up a head of steam and Wycombe were fortunate that Sweeney ran out of room by the post after having got the wrong side of Woodman.

The hosts were getting closer though and Shearer had to be at his best to scoop Behan's low free kick out for a corner following a Pack foul on McSweeney which earned the on-loan Portsmouth midfielder a booking.

Wanderers' break-outs were becoming much more infrequent and they were the side who would have been most pleased to hear the half time whistle.

And they made the most of their reprieve, taking the lead just five minutes into the second half.

Pack started the patient build up with a great crossfield ball and Beavon finished it several passes later with a shot from outside the box which hit the base of the post before nestling into the net.

The home crowd were quick to turn on their team but they were prematurely back on their feet shouting goal when James Brown unleashed a volley from six yards only to be somehow denied by a brilliant reflex Shearer save.

Wycombe weren't sitting on their lead though and pushed forward in search of a killer second.

Hartlepool's threat was becoming less and less and their football more desperate.

But they got back on level terms with a goal out of the blue on 79 minutes. Wanderers failed to deal with a deep free kick and when it was knocked back into the area by Sam Collins substitute Adam Boyd volleyed home from eight yards.

Now it was the hosts who sensed blood as they cranked up the pressure in a frantic finale attacking right back TJ Moncur at every opportunity.

McSweeney tested Shearer from distance but Blues had an even bigger let off when they left Boyd totally unmarked in the box but, for some inexplicable reason, he decided to cross to no one instead of firing at goal.

Wycombe were under the cosh with Oliver and Duberry making vital clearances and the offside flag coming to their rescure when Boyd was in the clear but they held out for their first point away from home - trouble is it didn't feel like cause for celebration as two points got away.