Ainsworth keeps heat off Chairboys
ByPA Sport
Published 04/03/2015 at 09:26 GMT
Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth said his side had no right to be promotion contenders after their 2-1 victory over struggling Tranmere moved them to within a point of top spot.
Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth keeps playing down his side's promotion chances
Image credit: PA Sport
The Chairboys had Matt McClure sent off 20 minutes before full-time, just 30 seconds after coming on as a substitute.
But Ainsworth's side held on to a lead given to them by Paul Hayes and Fred Onyedinma goals either side of Jordan Hugill's equaliser for Tranmere.
"The character of the win was important," said Ainsworth, whose side are third behind Shrewsbury and Burton.
"We were down to 10 men for the last 20 minutes of the game and we came through it.
"The sending off could be a world record for time spent on the pitch, but Matt McClure hasn't got a bad bone in his body.
"I had a go at the boys at half-time because they changed their mental attitude after we went ahead.
"We looked like a team who were under pressure to get promoted, but we have no right to be where we are in the league with the size of the squad we have.
"We are going to go for it rather than play a game of risk where promotion is concerned.
"Nobody expects us to get promoted so we aren't under any pressure and the lads responded to that. This group of lads dig deep."
Tranmere's Harrison McGahey was ruled to have handled the ball inside the area, allowing Hayes to fire home from the penalty spot after 26 minutes.
Hugill responded for Rovers by heading the ball past Wycombe goalkeeper Matt Ingram at the other end six minutes later.
However, a neat through-ball saw Onyedinma slot the Chairboys back in front five minutes before the break.
McClure saw red in the 70th minute for a challenge on Adam Dugdale just seconds after being introduced as substitute.
But the visitors held on to condemn Tranmere - who are now above the relegation zone on just goal difference - to their third successive defeat.
Tranmere manager Micky Adams said: "We started the game poorly. Wycombe forced us backwards and got what I thought was a disputed penalty.
"But we showed a bit of character and came out of our shell a bit and got back into the game.
"The result could have been different but we have to manage games better. This run we are on at the minute isn't enjoyable, but we have to battle through it.
"We know criticism will come our way, but we have to be strong. We need characters and that is the message to the players.
"The players need confidence, but they need to be brave. We all expect better and the fans deserve better, but I can promise that I will fight until the end.
"I won't walk away from this. I will take what comes my way, but I need to stand and be brave too and I will do that."
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