Fred Onyedinma’s first-half tap-in gave Wycombe Wanderers a hard-fought 1-0 victory over struggling Crawley Town.

In what was the first meeting between the two sides since 2018, the Chairboys started the better and nearly took the lead inside five minutes, when Richard Kone’s header just went wide of the target from a Dan Harvie cross.

But it wasn’t long until Wanderers took the lead.

A brilliant bit of play on the right-hand side between Josh Scowen and Garath McCleary allowed the latter in, and his fizzing cross was converted by Onydeinma inside the six-yards box.

It was his first goal for Wycombe since scoring in the club’s 3-0 away win over Middlesbrough three years ago.

His last strike at Adams Park was in the 1-0 victory against Blackburn Rovers in April 2021.

Both of these games were during Wanderers’ stint in the Championship.

The first half petered out before Harry Forster smashed the crossbar in the latter stages from six yards.

The second period was a lacklustre affair with both sides cancelling each other out.

The best attempt for Wycombe was a Dan Udoh strike from 20-yards, but this was well saved by Jojo Wollacott.

Then, in the dying embers, substitutes Luke Leahy and Kieran Sadlier went close, with the former going wide and the latter having his shot saved.

Crawley began to throw the kitchen sink, but Ravizzoli was on hand to make some important stops, as Wanderers held on for their fifth league win of the season.

Wycombe move into fifth, whilst Crawley remain in the drop zone.

The victory also means the Chairboys had recorded the same amount of wins they achieved in 2023, with 22.

Up next at home is Peterborough United on October 19.

Attendance: 4,472 (408 away)