Wycombe Wanderers 2 Rotherham United 2
The Blues took an early lead through Joel Grant but fell behind to a brace from Daniel Nardiello before securing a share of the spoils thanks to a late equaliser from substitute Gary Doherty.
It was Wycombe’s first draw in ten games and it takes them to 49 points, a total that has been good enough to survive the drop in 24 of the last 25 seasons, the exception being Oxford United’s sad demise with 49 in 2006.
So, with their league status as good as secure and virtually no chance of reaching the play-offs, this is the first time since Paul Lambert’s side finished 12th in 2007 that the Blues have nothing to play for but pride at the business end of a season.
And what an achievement that is when you remember that they propped up the entire football league as recently as mid-November.
It’s a recovery that hasn’t all been plain sailing. There have been some stirring performances and there have been some stinkers too. Tonight’s encounter falls somewhere in the middle and certainly won’t live long in the memory despite a quartet of goals.
Blues boss Gareth Ainsworth made one change to the side that was humbled at Rochdale on Saturday with winger Bruno Andrade replacing the injured Anthony Stewart, Sam Wood moving to left-back and Charles Dunne to central-defence.
The Millers started brightly but Wycombe soon took control and a five minute purple patch of neat passing football was finally rewarded with the goal it deserved.
Stuart Lewis, Matt McClure and Dean Morgan were all involved in a build up which culminated in Morgan laying the ball on a plate for Joel Grant to fire it home at the back post after only 7 minutes.
The Blues continued to hold the upper hand until they lost their rhythm when McClure was injured and replaced by Jo Kuffour after 21 minutes.
The visitors began to impose themselves on the game and David Noble stung Archer’s palms with a rasping drive before Nardiello headed wide and Noble fired another effort over the bar.
Five minutes before the break, Dave Winfield headed a corner wide of the post in what was the Chairboys’ only other notable effort on goal.
After an extended interval of 22 minutes a replacement referee appeared for the second-half and the Blues started it on the front foot with a period of pressure that produced a flurry of corners.
It didn’t last though, and Rotherham were back on level terms after 51 minutes when Liam Ridehalgh’s deep cross was planted in the back of the net by the head of Nardiello.
There was controversy shortly afterwards when Morgan upset the Millers by apparently trying to score from what was supposed to be a sporting back-pass to keeper Andy Warrington. Morgan has since explained that he misread the situation. Fortunately for all concerned, he cocked it up anyway.
The visitors took the lead after 64 minutes when Wycombe conceded a free kick and argued about it instead of getting organised, their doziness costing them dearly when the Millers took it quickly and Nardiello buried Pringle’s cross in the corner of the net.
The Blues almost equalised after 70 minutes when Kuffour broke free and played the ball across the face of the goal for an on-rushing Morgan who blasted it over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Shortly afterwards, Ainsworth and Doherty replaced Andrade and the injured Winfield.
Ainsworth’s appearance immediately lifted the Blues and a decent spell of pressure ended with a searing 30 yard effort from Charles Dunne that was delfected over the crossbar by a whisker.
The resulting corner saw Doherty rise above everyone at the near post to glance the ball into the back of the net and level the scores with only 9 minutes to go.
That was it, and when the final whistle sounded, both teams probably got what they deserved.
As far as individual performances are concerned, Ben Pringle impressed for the Millers but Bruno Andrade blotted his copybook for the Blues, the QPR loanee’s repeated reluctance to challenge for the ball being the antithesis of everything that Ainsworth stands for and has called for from his players.
Vital Man of the Match – Charles Dunne
Line-up & ratings
Archer (5), Harriman (6), Winfield (6) (Doherty 74 (6)), Dunne (6*), Wood (6), Andrade (3) (Ainsworth 71 (5)), Lewis (5), Scowen (6), Grant (5), Morgan (6), McClure (5) (Kuffour 21 (4))
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