Wycombe Wanderers kept themselves in control of the top spot in League one thanks to a stoppage time Luke Leahy winner over Mansfield Town.
The Chairboys had won their last nine on the bounce, including seven in the league to keep a firm grip in the promotion battle where many of their adversaries had faltered. Mansfield were briefly one of those sides but a poor spell has seen Nigel Clough’s team slip down the pecking order.
It was a match that lacked any real attacking output, with Wycombe firmly the stronger side having six shots, including two on target, to Mansfield’s three, none of which had tested Franco Ravizzoli.
The second half was much more exciting than its predecessor, with changes from Matt Bloomfield in attack giving a new lease of life to both sides, seeing Mansfield press on up front to try and challenge Wanderers. However, the flow of the game was frequently interrupted with fouls meaning this contest lacked any true end-to-end action.
Mansfield got their one and only shot on target through a set piece close to the end when Aaron Lewis called the Argentine keeper into a stop. But it would be the league leaders that would find the crucial breakthrough seconds before the final whistle, when Luke Leahy’s cross dipped over Christy Pym, sending Adams Park into a frenzy as their winning run entered double digits.
The win for Wycombe Wanderers keeps their destiny in their own hands, with The Chairboys able to surpass the total Birmingham City could pull back once they both catch up with missed fixtures. The gap at the top of League One sits at four points with Wrexham‘s win over Lincoln City keeping the League Two promotion winners within touching distance. Mansfield remained in 10th place after the sides around them also had poor nights.
Writer’s View
At the end of the day, it is not about how you win a game, it is the final score that matters the most. Wycombe Wanderers have been a scoring sensation so far with their 36 goals but were stifled by Mansfield Town. Only Luke Leahy will know if he meant for that effort to go in but it has rewarded his side with yet another win and keeps their unlikely title aspirations in their own hands. They travel to National League strugglers Wealdstone this weekend as the fixtures begin to come thick and fast for the festive period.
Football journalist with The Real EFL since 2023. A 2024 Multimedia Journalism graduate from the University of Salford, Lewis specialises in Salford City FC and EFL coverage.
