BAILHAM SALVAGED PRESTIGE

Wimbledon's centre-forward Eddie Bailham salvaged some drifting Southern League prestige in the dying minutes at Loakes Park on Tuesday night.

The Dons leader cancelled out Wycombe Wanderers one goal lead with just three minutes to spare. And, for once, he had worked for it. A draw, despite a late rampage from the amateurs, was fair enough. Play had consistently switched ends and an above average "friendly" developed.

PROBING
By the interval neither side had managed to break through and the prodding and probing of opposing defences continued almost non-stop until the end.

Both sides made substitutions for the second period, Wimbledon replacing Davies, Cooke and former Wanderers favourite Hodges with O'Mara, McLeish and Colfar. Wycombe gave Slater his first "run" of the season and also place Faulkner in their defence in place of John Delaney and Keith Samuels.

ABSENCE
The absence of Delaney, their new signing from Slough, showed noticeably in the second period. But with young Viv Busby particularly playing a demon's part up front and Slater chipping in with testing shorts for Guy's attention, Wycombe not only held their own, they completely overwhelmed their visitors during a 10 minute onslaught in the second half. Wimbledon's defence held grimly until the 75th minute before cracking as Baker put Busby through to catch them wrong footed.

As the Wanderers cooled down, Wimbledon returned the game to status quo but still looked to be heading for defeat before Bailham intervened.

[ --- Wimbledon Boro' News]