WYCOMBE 2 CITY 1

4:53pm Saturday 3rd May 2008

David Wetherall finished life as a City player this afternoon as the season ended with a 2-1 loss at play-off bound Wycombe.

Wetherall made his 330th - and final - appearance for the Bantams before taking up his new role as first-team coach.

He was given a magnificent send-off by the 600 away fans, some in fancy dress, who brought a carnival atmosphere to Adams Park.

It was a very different City side that signed off in front of them, following the midweek cull of out-of-contract players. Scott Phelan, one of the 13 to be axed by Stuart McCall on Tuesday, started the game while David Brown and Alex Rhodes, who were also told to look elsewhere, both came off the bench.

City found themselves behind after only five minutes as Delroy Facey, briefly a City loan player in 2002, finished off a powerful run by Matt Phillips.

Wycombe went close to a second when captain David McCracken headed against the bar. But they were 2-0 up from the corner that followed as Leon Knight hooked home from Mike Williamson's knockdown.

The away fans kept up a magnificent wall of noise despite the score and their backing was rewarded just before half-time with a City goal.

Ben Starosta's pass picked out Brown and the little substitute, who replaced Barry Conlon following a knock, was tripped by Wycombe keeper Frank Fielding for a penalty.

The fans shouted for Wetherall to take it but it was Luke Medley who stepped up to score confidently on his full debut.

City upped their game after the break and only a superb save from Fielding kept out an Omar Daley rocket that was heading towards the top corner.

And City should have had a second penalty when Phelan was shoved to the ground by Craig Woodman but referee Nigel Miller surprisingly gave nothing.

Rhodes and Sean Taylforth, on his full debut, both tested Wycombe back-up keeper Jamie Young. Wetherall went up front in the closing minutes but unfortunately there was no chance of a fairytale equaliser before the final whistle.

CITY: Loach, Starosta, Wetherall, Bower, Heckingbottom, Daley, Phelan, Nix, Taylforth, Medley, Conlon. Subs: Rhodes, Ainge, O'Brien, Brown, Sharry.

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