By Ross Jeavons
The Wanderers picked up a huge three points at Adams Park on Saturday afternoon, with a 1-0 victory over promotion favourites Bradford City.
A solitary Lewis Hunt goal gave Peter Taylor's side the win, but a clean sheet against one of the divisions highest scorers will do nothing but confirm Wycombe's status as one of League Two's front runners.
Angelo Balanta also impressed greatly in his forty-five minute cameo, as the 18-year-old loanee caused havoc in the Bantams' defence with his flair and guile.
He was forced to start the game on the bench though, as Taylor elected to remain unchanged from the 4-1 win over A.F.C Wimbledon earlier in the week.
Simon Church was kept out of the 16 after picking up a broken hand in training, whilst Matt Bloomfield was given a rest from his come back after playing twice in two days as part of his return from injury.
By all means the first half was a timid affair, as both sides cancelled eachother out, creating a rather tense atmosphere inside the stadium.
Both teams created half chances early on, as Chris Zebroski and dangerman Peter Thorne headed over from corners within the first quarter of an hour.
The away side's main threat seemed to come from Omar Daley, as the winger showed consistently blistering pace down the left flank throughout the opening half.
His trademark run and cross found Bradford's High Wycombe born midfielder Paul McLaren on the edge of the box, but his snap shot was well charged down by the rock solid Wanderers back line.
Despite plenty of possession it took the Chairboys almost half an hour to register their first meaningful shot on target, as F.A Cup hat-trick hero Matt Harrold sent a fizzing effort from distance straight into the arms of Evans.
As referee Andy D'Urso called for the break both teams would have trudged off knowing they had a lot more to give.
So it proved, as Angelo Balanta replaced Lewwis Spence in time for the second period and the match finally sparked into life.
The Blues, inspired by the intrepid efforts of the 18-year-old forward, took the game to City and looked the more likely to score in the opening stages.
After 53 minutes the home support were left clutching their heads in wonder, as Chris Zebroski's effort cannoned off the inside of the post.
It was Matty Phillips who showed neat work on the left hand side before swinging a ball over to the back stick, where the ex-Millwall forward knocked the ball goalwards with a half-volley.
City keeper Rhys Evans looked well beaten, but unbelievably the striker was denied his 5th goal of the campaign by the woodwork - and the goalie saw the ball fortunately deflect straight back into his hands.
The Bantams briefly flashed back into the game, as full back Tom Moncur was allotted too much space in the centre of the park, before sending a low effort towards goal.
Scott Shearer did well to hold the dipping strike, with City defenders waiting to pounce.
Seventy minutes in though it was the home side that were rewarded for their efforts, from an unlikely source
Right back Lewis Hunt got his first goal in the quarters of Wycombe, and only the third of his career, when he lashed home from close range.
City failed to clear their lines properly as the ball rebounded around inside the box, and as it fell to the ex-Southend defender he still had plenty of work to do in-front of the Hypnos Terrace.
'Hunty' was coolness personified, as he knocked the ball into the top corner to give the Blues a crucial lead.
That seemed to wake the visitors up some-what, as they began to dominate more of the possession in a bid to rescue something from their visit to Buckinghamshire.
For all their endeavour however the Bantams lacked cutting edge, and failed to create any meaningful chances in the closing stages.
Chris Zebroski came close to doubling the Wanderers' lead with five minutes remaining, as he was put through on the left hand side after great tenacious play from Gary Holt.
The Blues' joint top scorer was put off by the on-rushing City keeper however, and he could only hit the wrong side of the net.
Angelo Balanta could also have picked up a thoroughly deserved goal moments later, as he squirmed into space on the edge of the box before clipping in a low strike.
Evans spilled the ball at the first attempt, but did well to dive on the rebound before the speedy Balanta could follow up his own effort.
The three minutes of injury time was always going to create a tense atmosphere, but in truth the men with the best defensive record in England weren't going to budge.
They saw out the remaining minutes in style, and Wycombe secured a third win on the trot over the Yorkshire side.
The unbeaten run now stretches to 15, just six short of the all time club record.
Port Vale travel to Adams Park next Saturday, as the Wanderes look to extend their four-point cushion inside the automatic promotion places.
