Lawrie Sanchez' Wycombe side took an early lead through Gavin Holligan but the Terriers fought back once again and a goal from John Thorrington levelled matters in the otherwise forgettable first half.
Holligan's goal might have been cleared by Thomas Heary but it rolled over the line, rewarding his well orchestrated move which took him past Adrian Moses and Martyn Margetson for the opener.
The visitors thought they could sit back and soak up the pressure and it seemed like a good plan for a long time.
Kevin Gray and Adrian Moses had to make clearances from penetrating Wycombe attacks while Gray almost equalised at the other end with a downward header which was beaten around the post by Martin Taylor for a corner.
Town were very predictable in hitting long balls up the game Andy Booth but it took a moment of skill from John Thorrington to level the scores after he picked up a loose ball in midfield and elected to blast a 30-yard screamer past Martin Taylor in the Wycombe goal.
The second half brought more Town dominance, with Thorrington particularly in mesmerising form, going past players and showing glimpses of great skill.
A 60th minute move saw Thorrington going on another run and beating more players, including a nutmeg which foxed Steve Brown and set up the hapless Wanderers defender for more errors later.
The game also became more open as chances from Booth, Baldry, and Schofield (who hit the side netting) came and went.
With the second half becoming a tense, gripping tussle, both sides seemed capable of scoring more as the game pushed from end to end.
The eventual winner came from an innocuous looking corner which had been won by hard work from Chris Hay.
The ball was drifted in and Steve Brown contrived to head the ball into his own net in the 68th minute.
Lawrie Sanchez responded by throwing two more strikers into the fray and Wycombe had several chances to equalise towards the end of the match.
Michael Simpson, with a rasping right footed shot, and Danny Bulman, who forced a one handed save from Margetson, both had late chances to take a point from the McAlpine but the Terriers rode their luck and went top of the league.
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Town (4-4-2): Margetson, Heary, Evans, Gray, Moses, Baldry, Beech, Holland, Thorrington, Schofield, Booth
Subs not used: Digby, Irons, Macari
Scorers: Thorrington 38, Brown og 68
Wycombe (4-4-2): Taylor, Vinnecombe, Cousins, McCarthy, Rammell (Senda 75), Rogers, Currie (Ryan 75), Bulman, Simpson, Brown, Holligan (McSporran 63)
Subs not used: Emblen, Osborn
Booked: Simpson, Brown
Scorer: Holligan 14
Referee: Tony Leake (Derby)
Attendance: 9750 (299 away fans)
