Wycombe progress into the knock stages of the EFL Trophy with win over Crawley

Wycombe Wanderers have progressed to the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy after they defeated Crawley Town 2-1 at Adams Park.

In the second meeting between the two sides following last month’s league encounter which the Chairboys won 1-0, first-half goals from Brandon Hanlan and a stunning Luke Leahy free-kick cemented Matt Bloomfield’s team into the round of 32.

The first goal came after four minutes when Hanlan latched onto David Wheeler’s pass, and he steered home from 10 yards.

His strike, which is his first of the season, came one year and one day after he suffered a serious ACL injury, which put him out of action for 12 months.

The lead did not last long, however, as Tola Showunmi equalised for the Red Devils 10 minutes later.

Jack Roles’ long-range attempt was pushed away by Shamal George, and there was Crawley’s number 29 to fire in the rebound from inside the six-yard box.

It was his second strike of the campaign.

The first-half was an even affair with both teams having several chances to take the lead, with Wycombe regaining their advantage in some style on the half-hour mark.

Leahy, who scored a brace against York City in the FA Cup at the start of the month, brilliantly bent home a free-kick from 25-yards for his fourth of the season.

The second-half was another even affair, with Wanderers having a glorious chance to extend their lead.

On 54 minutes, Benjamin Tanimu was penalised for handling in the area.

Leahy, buoyed by his earlier strike, took the resulting spot-kick, but it was brilliantly saved by Connal Trueman in the Crawley goal.

He got down to his left-hand side and pushed the ball onto the post before Hanlan fired over the rebound.

One negative on the injury front is that Josh Scowen, who came on as a second-half substitute, hobbled off with five minutes remaining.

The result means Wanderers progress into the next round, topping their group with AFC Wimbledon finishing second.

Up next for the Chairboys is Lincoln City in the league on November 23.

Attendance: 723