A breathtaking contest at Meadow Lane went in Wanderers' favour as they progressed to the Quarter Finals of the Carling Cup at the expense of Notts County.

This wasn't a league game but thanks to the thrilling ninety minutes it consisted of, the contest was a great advert for League Two. Both teams were desperate to win the game and did everything they could to do it.

Fortunately for the Blues Jermaine Easter netted the only goal to set up a potential plum tie in the next round. 

Paul Lambert said. "This ranks with one of the greatest nights that I enjoyed as a player. It's the type of night you crave and it's great for the players.

"Some if them are still young and to experience this at such an early age is magnificent for them and they fully deserve it. The fans were excellent too and nobody can point the finger at Wycombe Wanderers this season.

"Everything the players have done for me has been top class and tonight has added to that."

The first half was one of the most open and attacking you're likely to see in the Division this season. County didn't look anything like a side that had taken just five points from the last thirteen whereas Wanderers constantly found themselves in goal threatening position from which they should have done better.

Betsy: freedom

Kevin Betsy was enjoying the freedom of Nottinghamshire on the right hand side of midfield and although his marker Austin McCann did have a good game, he was the receiver of some masterful trickery from the former Fulham man. More than once Betsy weaved his way between the County defence and after crossing for Tommy Mooney to head wide in a frantic opening that also saw Matt Bloomfield thwarted by Saul Deeney, he was himself denied by a 'keeper who enjoyed a stunning first half showing.

Magpies boss opted for Deeney, who had played in all three previous rounds for the club, over Kevin Pilkinton between the sticks and on his display you can see why.

The stop from Betsy on 23 minutes came at the end of a manic 60 seconds where Wanderers somehow failed to take the lead. First Jermaine Easter was denied by a last ditch challenge from Alan White and then, as the Blues maintained the pressure, Deeney pulled off a remarkable save to keep out a powerful Mooney header low to his left.

Wanderers were far more accomplished in their possession but with chances not creating goals County were always in the game and very nearly made the Blues pay for a lack of cutting edge.

Main threats came through the returning David Pipe on the right and striker Jason Lee, who both produced the best out of Ricardo Batista. When Lee wasn't climbing above the Blues backline to head towards goal he was feeding other players in and Junior Mendes, who found the target when the two teams met in August, touched his knock down over the bar on half an hour when he should have hit the target.

Gary Silk was also the beneficiary of County's aerial ability but after White had headed into the area, his effort was again saved by Batista.

Deeney: costly error

The second half produced more free flowing football from either side and when you just started to think that it might be 'one of those days' for the Blues, Easter popped up to put them in front.

For the first and only time in the game Deeney made an error and boy was he punished. A driven cross from Scott Golbourne was spilled and Easter was the quickest to react, hammering home from close range.

It was just what the team deserved but for a while it prompted a physical response from the home side that was uncharacteristic of the game. Wanderers, and Anthony Grant in particular, did well not to rise to the bait but Lee was booked for his part and effectively ended his contribution in the game.

That did nothing but help Wycombe and a defence that was superb from start to finish. There has to be a special mention too for Grant who made an amends in the best possible way after he was sent off in the fixture here in August. The on loan midfielder covered every blade of grass at Meadow Lane along with Bloomfield who tested Deeney yet again on 64 minutes.

But for every save Deeney made Batista made sure he wasn't overshadowed - Mike Edwards was denied from point blank range following substitute Lawrie Dudfield's cross.

Easter came close again shortly after and then the perfect chance to kill the game off fell to Mooney. After persistence from Bloomfield the ball fell to the captain but despite being clean through he couldn't get the ball past the irrepressible Deeney.

In a bid to take the game to extra time Steve Thompson made changes and the first of those, Dan Martin, very nearly granted his wishes. Right at the death the midfielder came inches away on two occasions from grabbing the equaliser and then, deep into injury time, Batista held firm to punch a White flick on away from the target.

Wanderers are through and the 843 travelling fans at Meadow Lane were lucky enough to see it.

Wanderers: Batista, Stockley, Williamson, Martin, Golbourne, Bloomfield, Grant, Oakes (Palmer,84), Betsy, Easter, Mooney.
Subs: Young, Gregory, Dixon, Anya.
Booked: Martin (unsporting behaviour).

County: Deeney, Pipe (N'Toya,84), McCann, Edwards, White, Somner (Martin,79), Ross, Silk, Mendes, Parkinson (Dudfield,61), Lee.
Subs: Pilkinton, Sheridan.
Booked: Lee (unsporting behaviour).

Attendance: 7395 (843 - Wycombe).