Gareth Ainsworth hails ‘big win’ as Wycombe move into automatic promotion spots

Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth praised his team for clinching a “big win” as they climbed into the Sky Bet League Two automatic promotion places with a 3-2 victory at Crawley.

Goals from Nathan Tyson, Adebayo Akinfenwa and Sido Jombati took the Chairboys up to third with their sixth win in the last seven away games.

Crawley, who pulled level in the first half when Karlan Ahearne-Grant scored his seventh goal in eight matches, finished with 10 men when defender Mark Connolly was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Ainsworth is delighted his team have equalled last season’s points tally with eight games remaining.

He said: “It was a big win and two successive wins puts in good heart for Saturday’s home game against Port Vale.

“The three points is what we came for. Harry Kewell (Crawley head coach) has got his side playing, so we changed our shape with our midfield four to stop the way they play.”

Ainsworth was full of praise for Akinfenwa, who scored his 18th goal of the season to equal his best-ever tally in a season.

“Akinfenwa wants to reach 20 goals and I want him to get there,” added Ainsworth.

“He is a big star, a minor celebrity, and he will literally run through brick walls for you.”

Ainsworth admitted he did not see “too much malice” in the tackle on Luke O’Nien that led to Connolly’s dismissal.

Crawley are eight points off a play-off place with eight games remaining and Kewell felt they deserved something from the game.

The former Leeds and Liverpool star said: “We showed some Aussie spirit – never say die – and went until the end.

“I’m not disappointed with my team; we played the right way.

“Karlan Ahearne-Grant has given my team a big boost with his pace and power – he is a wonderful talent.

“You have seen us progress this season and we’ll come back stronger. We said that going into the final 10 games that we needed eight wins.”

There has been speculation linking Kewell with a position at Charlton subject to an Australian consortium taking over the League One club.

Kewell added: “I am concentrating on Crawley and the football is all about ourselves.

“Charlton are a huge club with great potential, but it made me laugh as this was an Australian consortium and I’ve been linked as the only Australian manager (in English football).”