Football: Hazel's quick reply for Slough

Slough Town. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Wycombe Wanderers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

HONOURS were even in the Buckinghamshire derby last night, but one point was of little use to Slough Town, in second place in the GM Vauxhall Conference. Their neighbours, Wycombe Wanderers, lead the league by six points with three games in hand, and need just four points from their remaining eight games to take the title.

Wycombe have shown signs of vulnerability in recent weeks, but none of the chasing pack have been able to find a run of form to close the gap. Wanderers arrived for this derby on a high, though, having won 4-0 at Sutton United last weekend to reach the final of the FA Trophy at Wembley next month.

For Slough, the objective was simple. They may have had no realistic hope of stealing the title, but they were desperate to gain revenge for last month's tense 1-0 defeat at Wycombe.

It was the away side, however, who made the early running. They created four good chances in the first 15 minutes. Slough were nowhere to be seen as an attacking force until the closing stages of the first half, but they stepped up the pace after the break.

However, it needed a moment of inspiration to break the deadlock, and Tim Langford provided it with a fine solo goal in the 70th minute, shaking off Russell Edwards before cutting in from the right and beating Trevor Bunting with a firm, low shot. Within five minutes Slough were level when Ian Hazel collected a loose ball in midfield and thrashed a fierce shot past Paul Hyde from 25 yards.

Wycombe are at home against Runcorn, their opponents in the Trophy final, tomorrow and Altrincham on Saturday - the champagne is on ice.

Slough Town: Bunting; Lee, Pluckrose, Briley, Edwards, Anderson, Stanley, Hazel, Sayer, Friel (McKinnon, 74), Fiore. Substitute not used: Quamina.

Wycombe Wanderers: Hyde; Cousins, Cooper, Crossley, Vircavs, Thompson, Carroll, Langford, Ryan, Scott, Guppy. Substitutes not used: West, Hutchinson.

Referee: G Poll (Berkhamsted).