IT'S taken nine years, but Hartlepool United finally have a win over Wycombe Wanderers.

Not since Richard Barker scored for Pools in 2007 at Adams Park have they beat the Chairboys.

This time it was Scott Fenwick's turn to net the only goal as they dug out a 1-0 win, but they were hanging on at the end.

 

Pools’ new signing Nathan Thomas, impressive on the left flank before coing off with cramp in a calf, almost created a goal for Jake Gray on 18 minutes, before he teed up Fenwick on 34 minutes.

His low cross to the near post was crisply met by the striker, who made no mistake for his sixth of the season.

It was the first time the Chairboys had conceded in the opening 45 minutes of an away game since last March.

Pools had chances for a second goal, but it wouldn’t arrive.

Michael Woods hesitated when he waltzed through the defence and passed instead of shooting 16 yards out.

Jordan Richards and Rhys Oates were both denied by Matt Ingham saves.

But then the Chairboys heaped the pressure on Pools, launching endless long balls that were dealt with.

They could have had a penalty when Lewis Hawkins felled Sam Wood and boss Gareth Ainsworth was furious.

Pools boss Ronnie Moore said: “That’s the sort of win we love, where we grind them out. They have the best record at the back in the league and it’s nice when players give their all.

“We had luck, but first half there was nothing in it and we were the better team. Last 20 minutes they threw the kitchen sink at us – the ball needed an asprin they thumped it that high and that long.’’

Opposite number Gareth Ainsworth moaned: 

“I don’t know how we never scored in the second half,” he said. “But the referee has to give a penalty.

“It was a stone-wall penalty and those are game-changing decisions. We were poor in the first half and probably didn’t deserve to win, but that decision makes it difficult to take.’’