With the end of the Championship season just two weeks away, Wycombe’s dream of pulling off the Great Escape is still alive, with Gareth Ainsworth out to prove that there is no such thing as Mission Impossible for his team.
On a memorable night at Adams Park on Wednesday (April 21), Wanderers clung on to their hopes of avoiding relegation in dramatic fashion with a stoppage time winner against Bristol City.
They remain bottom of the table but are now just six points from reaching the safety of 21st place, currently occupied by a Derby team that have lost their last four games and managed just one win in 12.
Adams Park fell silent when Bayo stepped up (PA)
In contrast, Wycombe are one of the form teams in the division with three wins, two draws and only one defeat in their last six games.
However, Wanderers are still hanging on by the thinnest of threads, and if they lose at Cardiff on Saturday (April 24), their return to League One will be all but confirmed.
It would be a sad end to a week which proved that if they are relegated, they will go down with their heads held high.
READ MORE: 'I applaud him and the club' - Nigel Pearson praises Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth
Adams Park went crazy
Wanderers were close to beating promotion hopefuls Swansea before conceding two late goals, then produced an outstanding display to see off Bristol City in midweek.
Adams Park has witnessed plenty of drama over the years, but this was something special.
Wycombe fell behind against the run of play to a wonder strike by City’s Tyreeq Bakinson, and the visitors led 1-0 at half time.
In a pulsating second half, Wanderers dominated possession and forced City to defend deep as they mounted wave after wave of attacks.
READ MORE: 'We deserved to win' - Gareth Ainsworth on Wycombe's dramatic victory over Bristol City
It was a vital win as David Stockdale, Garath McCleary and Adebayo Akinfenwa celebrate the points (PA)
They got the equaliser they deserved when substitute Anis Mehmeti sent over a superb cross that was headed in at the far post by Uche Ikpeazu, his fifth goal of an injury hit season.
But the real drama was still to come.
As the match moved into stoppage time, Wanderers earned a late corner and goalkeeper David Stockdale raced up field to join his teammates in a crowded penalty box. The corner was cleared, and Stockdale was first to react only to see his goal bound volley strike the arm of a City defender.
Referee Dean Whitestone pointed to the penalty spot and Wanderers legend Bayo Akinfenwa coolly fired home for Wycombe’s most important goal of the season and his first ever at this level at the age of 38.
Akinfenwa was mobbed by his teammates and moments later the final whistle blew on a night that will live long in the memory for those Wycombe fans watching at home.
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