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 Wycombe went out of the LDV Vans Trophy in dramatic fashion at The Withdean Stadium. The tie had finished at 1-1 after 90 minutes and with 'Golden Goal' extra time just 30 seconds old Dave Carroll weaved through on goal before unleashing a left footed drive that seemed destined for the top corner of the Brighton net. However, Brighton 'keeper Michael Kuipers pulled off a remarkable one handed save. The crowd were still gasping from Kuipers' save when, within the minute, the home side broke down their right flank where Steve Melton ran clear before striking the winning goal past Mark Osborn.It was bitter blow for a Wycombe side who had fought back into the game and at the final whistle Lawrie Sanchez let his emotions out on the match officials for what was later revealed as a despute over a claim for a handball in the Brighton penalty area with around ten minutes left of normal time. For the 150 Wycombe fans tucked away in corner in a temporary stand at the opposite end of the ground it seemed a bit of mystery at the time. Sanchez had made an amazing ten changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Swindon on Saturday, Danny Senda being the only survivor. Meanwhile, Brighton boss Peter Taylor made seven changes to his side that currently lie in 2nd place in the Second Division. Wycombe began the game bright enough, forcing two corners in quick successive. Roger Johnson, starting his first ever First Team game for Wycombe, was unlucky to have an effort ruled out for offside after Martyn Lee had delivered a cross in the 8th minute. 18 year old Johnson was in action at the other end two minutes later when he cut out a Graham Pitcher cross before Osborn got down to save. Jason Cousins took a bang to the head on 12 minutes and spent some time getting patched up before returning with a fetching head bandage. Brighton continued to have the upper hand with Lee Steele crossing from the left on 20 minutes but Lehmann couldn't keep his header down. A minute later Osborn had to be quick off his line to collect ahead of Matthew Wicks. On an extremely slippy surface, Keith Ryan lost his footing on 28 minutes to let in Steele but Johnson was on hand again to prevent Paul Brooker from taking advantage. Martyn Lee curled a free-kick over from 25 yards on 39 minutes for Wycombe but it was the home side who took the lead one minute into stoppage time, Nathan Jones sprinting clear down the left before flighting a cross to the far post that Lehmann headed back across the face of the goal for Geoff Pitcher to convert. Half-time Brighton 1 Wycombe 0 It was spy glasses out for the Wycombe fans in the second-half as Wanderers kicked towards the far goal. Four minutes into the half Dannie Bulman sprayed an effort wide and on 53 minutes a twice taken free-kick by Lee failed to threaten the home goal. Osborn saved again from Pitcher on 61 minutes after Brooker's initial shot had been blocked before Sanchez changed things slightly by bringing on Welsh starlet Stuart Roberts. Within five minutes Wycombe were level, Jones dodgy back past to Kuipers being intercepted by Holligan who did enough to dink the ball over the line. It set up an exciting ending where Dave Carroll went close with a 35 yard free-kick and Osborn saved point blank from Lehmann. Bulman also pulled an effort wide after Holligan had battled through from midfield while Johnson capped a fine performance with a double challenge and clearance as 90 minutes approached. 90 minutes Brighton 1 Wycombe 1 Carroll's effort in extra-time looked to have won the tie 30 seconds into the extra-time period but 30 seconds later the cruel twist of the golden goal ended Wycombe's interest in this competition for another season. Final Score Brighton 2 Wycombe 1
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