Wycombe Wanderers 3 Hartlepool United 4

Last updated : 28 February 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Bottom side Wycombe edged closer to the Third Division after they went down 4-3 to Hartlepool in a seven-goal thriller at the Causeway Stadium.

Pool stunned Wycombe with a fourth minute opener thanks to striker Eifion Williams’ seventh goal of the season.

Running onto a long through ball that left home full-back Chris Vinnicombe struggling, Williams beat Wycombe keeper Steve Williams with a superbly struck shot inside the far post.

Incredibly Wycombe equalised on eight minutes; defender Ian Simpemba rising from the pack to aim a powerful header from Darren Currie's well aimed cross past the diving Jim Provett.

That lead lasted a mere two minutes as visiting defender Hugh Robertson, who had moments earlier denied Wycombe striker Jermaine McSporran with a last ditch clearance, superbly curled a 30-yard free kick beyond the struggling Williams.

Wycombe midfielder Currie hit the post before McSporran, running onto a long through ball, lobbed Provett to equalise for a second time.

The visitors were back in the lead on 39 minutes when, despite Darrell Clarke finding the net at the second attempt, referee Mr M Warren, awarded a penalty whilst booking Wycombe full-back Danny Senda for handball.

Wycombe stopper Williams did manage to touch the resulting shot, but Mark Tinkler thumped in his fifth goal of the season. Hartlepool added to their lead within a minute of the restart, Williams taking advantage of a terrible clearance from Michael Simpson, finding the net at the second attempt.

On-loan Wycombe striker Nathan Tyson lobbed the home side back into the game on 63 minutes - the Reading youngster sweeping a 30-yard shot over stranded keeper Provett.