Jim Gannon handed Anthony Pilkington an early Christmas present by naming the 18-year-old in the Hatters starting eleven.

The former Atherton striker got his big chance after Adam Proudlock failed a fitness test on the ankle he injured at Bury last Saturday.

Rob Clare was another absentee after picking up a training ground knock in midweek, which meant a recall for young defender James Tunnicliffe.

Keith Tracey, a second-half substitute at Gigg Lane also started in place of David Poole who has returned to Yeovil.

And there was also a welcome return for Gareth Owen; Michael Bowler made way.

The first chance of the game fell to Keith Treacy who broke free from kick off and his powerful shot glanced just wide.

GOAL! Wycome were ahead after just 90 seconds when Kevin Betsy poked the ball home following a Wycombe corner. Russel Martin's initial shot was brilliantly saved by Spencer and Betsy hit the back of the net.

At the other end, Tes Bramble was clinically pulled back by Will Antwi on the edge of the area and the resulting Treacy free-kick went just over the crossbar.

The impressive Anthony Pilkington saw his power-header well saved by Wycombe keeper, Jamie Young. It had been heading for the top keeper, but unfortunately for County they could not break their duck.

Spencer, who has his critics made a wonderful save from Jermaine Easter to deny Wycombe an unjust second and he was on hand again to deny Mooney's follow-up.

Spencer made another wonderful save, coming way out of his area to deny Tommy Mooney moments later. It was Spencer's clearance that allowed Pilkington to make another good counter-attack, but Young was equal to his shot.

After a sucession of corners from County it was Wycombe who created the next best chance on the 36th minute when Jermaine Easter broke free, but The Hatters had James Tunnicliffe to thank for a wonderful last ditch clearance.

Anthony Pilkington produced another wonderful header seconds before half time  that took a wonderful Jamie Young save to deny the debut man a deserved goal. Tony Dinning's volley from the resulting corner went agonisingly wide as County asked some serious questions of the Wanderers defence.

The Hatters started to dominate proceedings during the first few minutes of the second half. Wycombe were solid going forward, but at the back they often looked suspect and County tried in vein to get back into the game.

The best effort came when Stephen Gleeson produced a wonderful clearance that found Pilkington in space on the right. However the pacy 18 year old could not make the most of a gilt-edged opportunity and another chance went begging.

GOAL! It was game over on the hour when the much sought after; Jermaine Easter lobbed James Spencer from a few yards out to send the home fans into raptuous applause.

County wasted an opportunity to get back in the game when the impressive Gleeson turned and found Malcolm wide in space. The former Spurs man though scuffed a chance that would have seen Pilkington free on goal.

It was nearly 3, when Sean O'Halloran crossed for Tommy Mooney but the usually dangerous frontman hit the chance wide and in the dying seconds The Chairboys nearly scored again when substitute, Ian Stonebridge beat James Tunnicliffe and his shot glanced inches wide.

Despite a second successive defeat, this was much-improved from a weaker County line-up. The determination and passion was still plain to see, but it was clear today that the gaffer must strengthen in the window.

County: Spencer; Williams, Tunnicliffe, Owen, Griffin; Pilkington (Briggs 68), Dinning (Dickinson 63), Taylor, Gleeson, Tracey; Bramble (Malcolm 62),

Subs: Rose, Deasy

Ref: K Woolmer