By Ross Jeavons
The Wanderers overcame farcical conditions on Tuesday evening as they edged a resilient Chester City side at a rain soaked Adams Park.
Jon-Paul Pittman was heavily involved in both goals, setting up the first with good work down the left hand side before tapping home the killer second from Chris Zebroski's knock down.
Manager Peter Taylor reacted strongly to the goalless draw with Morecambe at the weekend, making three changes to the line up that started at Christie Park.
Chris Zebroski returned from suspension, stepping into a four-man midfield that also included John Mousinho.
Jon-Paul Pittman regained his place, replacing Matt Harrold to partner Stuart Beavon up front.
However it was 17-year-old winger Matty Phillips who would catch the eye throughout the 90 minutes, and the Aylesbury born midfielder was the first to test Seals keeper John Danby on the five-minute mark.
He jinked in to the edge of the box before unleashing a stinging drive that was just palmed away by the experienced glovesman.
The visitors had by no means come to lie down however and Mark Wright's charges created plenty of work for Jamie Young in the Wycombe net, as the Aussie stopper pulled off a textbook double save from Richie Partridge and Ryan Lowe in front of the Hypnos Terrace.
Kevin Ellison was perhaps Chester's brightest spark on the evening, sending a number of dangerous long-range efforts crashing towards the Wanderers goal.
However it was the home side that took the lead on 25 minutes, after some magnificent craftwork from JP Pittman.
The ex-Crawley front man looked bereft of options as he picked up the ball on the left wing, but spun into space before crashing a dangerous low cross into the heart of the area.
It was a tough chance for Phillips as the ball skidded off the surface with pace, however the youngster crashed it into the roof of the net to open the scoring.
Neither that or the increasingly torrential conditions seemed to dampen the spirits of the Seals however; as they picked themselves up to create more problems for the Wanderers backline.
It was Ellison who was once again exhibiting his lethal left foot, forcing Jamie Young into an acrobatic, one handed save from 25 yards.
Surface water was starting to build as the second period got underway and it was a case of déjà vu for Peter Taylor's men, as once more 'Youngy' had to be on his toes to deny a long range effort from Kevin Ellison.
Matty Phillips almost had a second before the break, thanks to a chance that fell in remarkably similar fashion to his first strike
Craig Woodman whipped a dangerous ball into the 18-yard-box which Phillips met on the volley, however his effort was skied high over the bar and into the Dreams Stand.
Ryan Lowe came close moments later as he spun away from David McCracken on the edge of the box, however his daisy cutter skidded wide of the post.
That moment of inaccuracy was to be punished in the 66th minute, as JP Pittman killed off any hopes of a Chester City comeback.
Craig Woodman lofted over a teasing set-piece to the far post, allowing the towering Chris Zebroski to head across goal and back into the danger area.
The American striker was lying in wait and pounced in true predator style to double the Blues' lead.
That appeared to be the final nail in the coffin for the visitors who looked visibly dejected for the remainder of the game, though it could have been worse as Wycombe substitute Matt Harrold dragged wide after being sent through on goal by an impressive piece of craftsmanship from Chris Zebroski.
The final whistle brought a tangible sigh of relief from the home crowd, as their side leapfrogged Bury into second place after the Shakers slipped up at home to Chesterfield.
The Chairboys will be hoping for a weaker performance from the Spireites when they visit Adams Park this Saturday, for another crunch fixture in the promotion run in.
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