City battled hard at automatic promotion-chasing Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park on Saturday, but came away pointless after a narrow defeat.
The Imps stood firm until 65 minutes, when Cameron Humphreys kept his composure to give the hosts the lead, with his effort proving decisive.
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Michael Skubala made two changes to the XI that were held by Exeter City last Saturday, with Erik Ring coming in for his first start since December 2024, replacing Dom Jefferies.
The other alteration saw Ben House take James Collins’ place, while Joe Gardner returned to the squad following international duty with Republic of Ireland U21.
The Imps had the better of the opening exchanges and were presented with the first sight of goal after 10 minutes. Tom Bayliss picked out Tendayi Darikwa on the right flank who crossed for Hackett, the attacker got a shot away on the turn but could only direct his effort wide of the target from inside the area.
Five minutes later, Simons was the first player to try his luck for the hosts when room opened up for him to take aim from 35 yards. Thankfully for City, his strike was high and wide.
The hosts won a corner with 23 minutes on the clock which was worked short by Simons into the path of Scowen, who again lifted an effort off target from range.
Ring looked to create something for City with 10 minutes to go before the break, the winger showed good feet to move away from Grimmer before delivering low, but his cross was cut out by Joe Low.
The crossbar came to City’s rescue inside the final five minutes of the half. A Chairboys corner was cleared as far as Reach, who saw his looping cross strike the bar and bounce out. Simons looked to apply the finishing touch from close-range, but Makama was there to make a crucial intervention.
The hosts had the final opportunity of the half on the stroke of half time when the ball fell to their talisman Kone. The forward looked to catch Wickens out with a chipped effort from just inside the box, but the ball landed on the roof of the net.
City started the second half well and had some good spells in the final third, but the hosts took the lead after 65 minutes. Humphreys collected a loose ball in the middle before going through on goal and keeping his composure to round Wickens and tap the ball into an empty net, despite a last-ditch effort from Hamer on the goalline to thwart him.
Wickens was called into action to deny the hosts a second with 14 minutes left. A long throw was cleared as far as Taylor on the edge of the box and his rasping drive had to be beat away by the ‘keeper.
Skubala made two attacking changes with two minutes to go with Collins and Gardner introduced, but as they pushed for a leveller, the hosts were finding space on the counter attack. Wickens was again on hand to deny the promotion-chasers when Kone wriggled clear of Hamer and took aim.
There were chances at both ends when the game entered the final minute. Firstly, Wickens did well to deny Kone Wycombe’s second. The Imps immediately broke with Collins inches away from getting on the end of a long pass when through on goal. Unfortunately for City, Norris was able to get there ahead of him.
As the game entered six minutes of stoppage time, Wickens made his best save of the game to prevent Kone from making it 2-0. The forward broke into the area and attempted to round the keeper, but he did excellently to smother the ball.
The Imps were reduced to 10 men in the fifth minute of added time, when Paudie O’Connor was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Low and the home side made their player advantage count to see out the game.
Wycombe Wanderers: Norris, Bradley, Taylor, Low, Grimmer (Onyedinma 71’), Leahy, Scowen, Reach (McCleary 71’), Humphreys, Simons, Kone. Unused subs: Ravizzoli, Berry-McNally, Kouda, Lowry, Vokes.
Imps: Wickens, Darikwa (Gardner 78’), Hackett, Bayliss (Clucas 84’), Ring (Jefferies 61’), McGrandles (Hamilton 84), O’Connor, House (Collins 78’), Hamer, Roughan, Makama. Unused subs: Jeacock, Jackson.
Referee: Scott Jackson
Attendance: 4,939 (341 away)
