Wycombe made to rue missed penalty as Portsmouth earn 1-0 win.

Pompey extend their unbeaten run to six matches with a first away win in 10, whilst the Chairboys miss the chance to move into the top two.

A lively start at Adams Park isn’t uncommon. Nine of the Chairboys’ 26 goals have come within the opening 20 minutes and regular proceedings looked set to continue.

Sam Vokes flicked into the path of marauding wing-back Jason McCarthy who’s presence on the ball would follow with a crescendo of boos all afternoon. Driving inwards he laid it off to his fellow wing-back, Jordan Obita, who saw his effort nick the outside of the post.

Danny Cowley’s defence would enjoy their first bit of respite 20 minutes in. Marcus Harness managed to chest into the path of George Hirst, eager to make use of John Marquis’ absence, but his effort dragged wide.

Pompey continued to work opportunities of their own. Ronan Curtis failed to make contact on the turn with a half-volley which saw the ball fall into the path of an oncoming Harness. Approaching with too much speed, he failed to keep it down and it flew over a packed terrace.

The Chairboys would be awarded the best chance of the game as Sean Raggett was judged to of collided with Anis Mehmeti and they were given a penalty by referee Neil Hair. In the commotion Danny would join his brother, Nicky, in Hair’s book following protests over the decision and Pompey’s failed earlier request for a penalty.

Skipper Joe Jacobson scored his penalty last weekend in the FA Cup but failed to enjoy the same fortune on this occasion. Attempting to outwit Bazunu’s replacement, Alex Bass, his tame effort down the middle was gleefully collected.

The second period started just as frantically as the first. Harness linking up with Hirst as he strode into the box but his powerful strike was expertly met by the outstretched hands of David Stockdale. A fine save to mark his 425th career appearance.

Ainsworth’s two changes for the afternoon combined for Wycombe’s first chance of the second half. Curtis Thompson galloped into final third playing in Mehmeti but his shot from a tight angle was met by Bass and McCarthy’s subsequent attempt soared over.

Curtis’ involvement would continue to grow as the game opened up. Sizing up against Anthony Stewart he worked space on his left but his shot cum cross trickled past the post and the late arriving Hirst.

Portsmouth’s second-half pressure paid off in the 72nd minute. A punt upfield was latched onto by Hirst teetering on the edge of offside. With all the space in the world, he passed it across goal into Harness who tapped home for his sixth goal of the season.

As the rest of League One knows, Wycombe refuse to give up and today was no different. Jason McCarthy surged from just inside the Pompey half all the way to the edge of the box. Cutting onto his left, he struck the post with the rebound falling back into his exhausted path only to find his second effort blocked on the line by Raggett

By this point, the travelling fans must have chewed into the bone of their fingers. Vokes’ glancing header was marvellously stopped by Bass as time ran out for Wycombe.

As the trees beyond the Franks Adams stand faded into the early-autumnal darkness, so too may have the Wanderers’ hopes of an easy return to the Championship. Just one win in their last seven and a third consecutive home defeat shows signs of the Chairboys’ usual winter dip.