WYCOMBE Wanderers' amazing FA Cup run came to a dramatic end as Liverpool claimed their place in the final with a 2 - 1 victory.

Two goals in five minutes ensured Liverpool's place against Arsenal in next month's final.

But Wycombe did not go without a fight, looking as though they were going to push the match into extra time and goalkeeper Martin Taylor was named Man of the Match after a series of fantastic saves.

The treble chasers knew they were in a match when the two teams went in goaless at half time.

But Wycombe could have fallen behind as early as the second minute as Liverpool started like the European giants that they are.

Robbie Fowler whipped in a ball from the left but goalkeeper Martin Taylor raced off his line to reach it before Michael Owen.

Gradually though, Wycombe played themselves back into the game and kept Liverpool's chances to a minimum, although Taylor had to produce a fantastic save to deny Owen after Barmby had set him up.

As Wycombe grew in confidence, Keith Ryan again forced a save from Westerveld from a Michael Simpson free kick.

Right on the half time whistle Liverpool thought they had broken the deadlock when Christian Ziege acrobatically fired in an overhead kick which whistled wide.

Wycombe thought they should have had a penalty when Steve Brown was pushed in the box by Marcus Babbell as they both jumped to meet the Jason Cousins cross but their penalty appeal was turned down by the referee.

In the second half, two goals in five minutes breached Wycombe's magnificent defence.

The deadlock was broken in the 77th minute by Heskey who attempted a header to Taylor's left from a Gerard cross.

Liverpool made it 2 - 0 through Fowler who curled a 25 yard free kick into the goal.

But with three minutes to go, Wycombe got back into the game as Keith Ryan looped the ball over Westerveld after a long kick by Taylor.

The 19,000 Wycombe fans outsang the Liverpool faithful. Wycombe were beaten but not disgraced as they matched Liverpool man for man in a brilliant performance.