Wycombe boss Ainsworth hails ‘awesome’ Adebayo Akinfenwa

Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth hailed the “awesome” Adebayo Akinfenwa after his side’s crucial 2-0 win at Southend United.

The striker scored twice in the space of four second-half minutes to secure the Chairboys all three points against their fellow League One strugglers at Roots Hall.

He said: “We had Southend under pressure. The goals were coming and when you have someone like the big man, well he was awesome.”

And Ainsworth, whose team have now moved up to 17th in the standings, felt the victory was well deserved.

“We were the better side and we got what we deserved,” said Ainsworth.

“It was all about togetherness and work ethic and that’s what has won us the game in the end.

“We haven’t won since the end of January and it’s been a tough few months. But we’ve kept on going and this is an important win.

“However, we have to make sure we build on this now because it’s still very close and there are four games to go.”

The Chairboys shaded the possession during a nervy first half with Akinfenwa sending a close-range header straight at Shrimpers goalkeeper Nathan Bishop.

But, after the break, Wycombe took control and opened the scoring after 69 minutes when Scott Kashket’s low, left-wing cross found Akinfenwa, who netted with a well-controlled finish at the far post.

And Akinfenwa was at it again in the 72nd minute as he latched onto Michael Harriman’s long diagonal ball into the box and send a looping header into the far corner of the net.

The striker’s brace ended a run of five-successive defeats for Wycombe and ended their 12-match winless streak.

In contrast, the out-of-form Southend have now not won for 14 matches and slipped to 22nd in the standings with just four games to go.

The Shrimpers – who have not won since January – rarely threatened against Wycombe and boss Kevin Bond felt his side played as if they had already accepted relegation.

“We played today like we were doomed and had accepted the situation,” said Bond, who was in charge of Southend for the first time at home.

“We just can’t have that anymore and it was hugely disappointing.

“It’s surprised me after a good display last week at Fleetwood but we didn’t show the right attributes.

“Wycombe outfought us and outworked us, they showed a greater desire and got to every ball first.

“The fans will go away accusing the players of not applying themselves properly and quite rightly.

“The performance was unacceptable even before Wycombe scored.

“They were better than us in many aspects of the game but there’s still hope, just not if we keep on playing like this.”