WYCOMBE 1

Nick Freeman (pen) 72

STANLEY 1

Dion Charles 40

ACCRINGTON Stanley are now winless in three League One games after being held to a hard-fought 1-1 draw against high-flying Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park.

A powerful header just before the break from Dion Charles gave Stanley a half-time lead before Nick Freeman’s penalty levelled the scores in the second half.

Jerome Opoku was lucky to avoid a red card as tempers flared late on, but Stanley’s point sees them remain just outside the relegation zone.

Stanley applied early pressure, but were lucky to avoid going behind after Ross Sykes was robbed of the ball in the box, with Opoku among those making desperate blocks.

Jordan Clark produced the first effort on target, but his shot was saved well by Wycombe goalkeeper Ryan Allsop, with a header from the resulting corner dropping just wide.

The lively Clark then shot wide before seeing a cross from the right palmed just over.

As the half wore on, Accrington proved the sharper to the second ball, building well off long passes from the back to build pressure.

Despite that, it was Wycombe who nearly stole an undeserved lead, only a late Sykes hack clear preventing the ball bouncing in from a free-kick out wide.

John Coleman’s side eventually made the breakthrough they deserved, counter-attacking swiftly with Clark – whose teasing cross from the right was powered home by Charles from near the penalty spot.

Scott Kashket was then unable to divert home a cross from the right, deflecting his effort over the bar while close in to hand Stanley a reprieve.

The second half started in fiery fashion, Opoku and Mark Hughes booked in quick succession for rash challenges, before David Wheeler nodded just over the bar from Jack Grimmer’s pinpoint cross for the hosts.

Opoku was lucky to avoid a second yellow for what looked like a deliberate handball after another foul.

Stanley were unable to resist the pressure from a renewed Wycombe, with Kashket sent tumbling by three Stanley players in the box to earn a penalty.

Freeman then stepped up to convert with ease to level the scores.

The visitors came close to retaking the lead as Clark crossed but Sean McConville’s effort grazed the post.

Colby Bishop was then withdrawn after suffering a knock, with Connor Simpson on in his place.

Stanley fought back well, with McConville drawing a fine save from Allsop from a narrow angle on the right as the match entered the final 10 minutes.

Neither side was able to force a winner as they tired late, Wycombe denied after a goalmouth scramble following a corner during eight minutes of injury-time.

Wycombe Wanderers: Allsop, Grimmer, Stewart, Phillips, Mascoll, Freeman, Gape, Bloomfield, Kashket (Parker 84), Wheeler, Onyedinma (Akinfenwa 62).

Stanley: Evtimov, Johnson, Sykes, Hughes, Opoku, Conneely, Clark, Finley, McConville, Charles, Bishop (Simpson 74)