By Ross Jeavons
The Wanderers somehow succumbed to a one goal defeat at Valley Parade on Saturday afternoon, despite putting in a sparkling performance that had everything but a goal.
City took the lead against the run of play in the dying moments of the first half, before Chris Zebroski's second half dismissal put an end to any hopes of a deserved comeback.
The Blues were guilty of missing a series of gilt-edged chances throughout the game, as a shining debut performance from Jon-Paul Pittman caused havoc in the Bantams defence.
The ex-Crawley striker took the place of the departed Angelo Balanta to partner Matt Harrold, as Matt Bloomfield replaced Matt Phillips on the left hand side of a four-man midfield.
Bloomfield showed attacking intent form the off, nicking the ball past Paul Arnison on the edge of the area before crashing a drive narrowly over the bar.
The Blues came even closer after 15 minutes, from Woodman's in-swinging corner.
'JP' Pittman came to Adams Park renowned for his pace but it was his heading ability on show on this occasion, as the American-born forward saw his knock down cleared off the line.
City responded in type as the dangerously dazzling Omar Daley crossed from the right hand side, causing havoc in the centre of the Wycombe box before Holt hacked away.
The first flash point of an eventful game came after twenty minutes, as the tricky Pittman turned inside the penalty area before having his legs taken from under him by Matt Clarke.
The Wanderers bench seemed convinced that a penalty should have been given, but referee Mr Boyeson waved play on - much to the discontent of the traveling support.
Arguably the games best chance fell to Matt Bloomfield on the half hour mark, after another piece of creative spark from Pittman.
The man from Oklahoma City sent in a fizzing left footed cross that deflected back off Matt Harrold, falling at the feet of 'Blooms' six-yards from goal.
The ex-Ipswich midfielder looked odds on to score, but could only drag a weak shot wide of Rhys Evans' goal.
Creator almost turned scorer moments later, as 'JP' came inches away from opening his account in stunning fashion.
He sent the ball goalwards with his weaker foot courtesy of an extravagant overhead kick, but with Evans well beaten the ball dropped just wide of the post.
It seemed a matter of time before the away side would take the lead but the unpredictability of football reared its ugly head, as the Bantams took the lead against the run of play.
They took advantage of some rare sloppy midfield play from the Blues to break down the left hand side, before cleverly working the ball across the area towards Steve Jones.
The right winger had plenty of work to do from a tight angle but completed his task in style, lashing home an unstoppable half-volley.
It was a hammer blow to send the Wanderers in at the break, though the second half would create as much drama than the first.
Chris Zebroski was to have one of the more eventful afternoons of his young career, as he blazed over from 12-yards six minutes in.
Gary Holt had his long range effort tipped round the post moments later before Nicky Law saw his similar long distance strike fly over the bar, as the frantic tempo somehow increased at Valley Parade.
Like his team as a whole, Matt Bloomfield put in a performance that lacked only a goal - latching onto a piece of poor control by Matt Harrold after 65 minutes before blazing a half volley over the bar from 12 yards.
It was end to end stuff even if Wycombe were having the lion's share of the chances, as Peter Thorne headed the ball back across goal only to see Michael Boulding nod the ball over from close range.
Despite that piece of play it seemed only a matter of time before the Wanderers converted one of their numerous chances, but the game was turned on its head with fifteen minutes remaining as Zebroski saw red.
The young winger put in a dangerous looking high boot as he challenged for a ball with City centre half Matthew Clarke, and there would be no complaints from either side as the ex-Millwall man received his marching orders.
The Chairboys still put in an honorable effort in the dying stages despite their numerical disadvantage, but their luck was summed up as a wonderful foraging run and cross from Matt Bloomfield somehow missed all Blue shirts waiting in the six-yard box.
It was always going to be a thrilling climax after what was surely one of the most entertaining 90 minutes in the league this season, but unfortunately for the Wanderers it was City who created the last chance of the game.
Substitute Joe Colbeck caught the visitors on the break as they went for broke, but saw his low shot denied by superb reflexes from Scott Shearer.
For a horrible moment it seemed that the ball would loop back and drop over the line, but the Glaswegian keeper did brilliantly to dash back and hook the ball away with his feet.
Nicky Law could only volley the ball wide with his follow up.
The exasperation on the faces of the Chairboys was obvious as the final whistle blew, but if anything they should take heart from what was arguably their most creative display of the season.
Recent postponements mean there is no rest for Peter Taylor's side, as a trip to Dagenham lies in wait on Tuesday night.
Keep it wwfc.com for reaction from Peter Taylor.
