AIDAN Collins last night spoke of the sadness that overshadowed his dream debut at League Two leaders Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.

AIDAN Collins last night spoke of the sadness that overshadowed his dream debut at League Two leaders Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday, writes Derek Davis.

The Blues defender, who joined the Chairboys on a month's loan on Thursday, scored in Wanderers' 2-0 win over Notts County but the joy of staying two points clear was tempered when manager John Gorman told the players in a post-match huddle on the pitch that their team-mate Mark Philo had died following a car crash earlier in the day.

The Wycombe players, including former Town midfielder Matt Bloomfield, mourned the loss of the 21-year-old midfielder, who died in hospital at 4.20pm, just moments after Collins had scored his debut goal.

Collins said: “We did not know anything before the game and were told immediately afterwards.

“It was very, very sad. Although I had only just met him, while training with Wycombe on Thursday and Friday, I know he was very popular.

“Matt was very upset by it all and really the football was not important after we were told. The dressing room was quiet, as you can imagine, as everyone tried to come toCollins was delighted with netting his first league goal, and might have added a second late on, and in keeping a clean sheet.

He said: “My debut could not have gone better in terms of the football. It was unbelievable to score and it is a great feeling to be involved with this team at the top of the league.

“The others told me, as a team, we had not played as well as we can in the first half but we stepped it up to win.

“John Gorman told me he was pleased with my debut but football was secondary to everyone after the match.”

Gerard Nash, who often partnered Collins in defence, also kept a clean sheet on his debut as Hartlepool were held to a scoreless draw at home by Tranmere Rovers.