Wycombe Wanderers manager Matt Bloomfield has praised the performance of goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli in the club’s recent 1-0 home victory against Wigan Athletic.

The Argentine shot-stopper, who joined the Chairboys in September following his release from Buckinghamshire rivals Milton Keynes, made three key saves in stoppage time as the Latics fought for an equaliser at Adams Park.

Wanderers had taken the lead after 21 minutes in the contest through an own goal from Wigan keeper Sam Tickle, before the ex-Premier League side threw the kitchen sink in the dying embers.

Most of Ravizzoli’s key interventions were produced during the seven minutes of additional time, as Wycombe held on to secure back-to-back league victories for only the third time this season.

The 26-year-old has started the last four league games following Max Stryjek’s straight red card in the 1-0 away loss to Stevenage at the end of February.

Stryjek served a three-game ban for his sending off, and returned as an unused substitute in the victory over Wigan.

It was the first time he had been on the bench for a league fixture since April last year.

Bloomfield said: “My words to the players are ‘if you’re performing well then you deserve to stay in [the team]’.

“I had an opportunity to back up my words with my actions as I felt it was the right thing to do.

“Franco was fantastic on Saturday against Reading to help us get the 2-1 victory, so there was no way he deserved to be let out tonight [March 12] and Max is fully respectful of that.

“Max has had a very good spell here and has been fantastic for us this season and last season as well.

“But as with anything in sport, you respect when someone has performed well, and Franco has played his part.

“He’s been excellent since coming into the side.”

The midweek triumph was fully deserved due to the brilliant defensive display in the second half, whilst up top, Wycombe were close to doubling their lead through Bez Lubala, Luke Leahy and Ryan Tafazolli.

It means Wanderers are now 14th in the table on 47 points – 13 points clear of the relegation zone and 14 points off the play-offs.

Bloomfield continued: “I’m pleased and proud of the resilience as it was a very ‘Wycombe’ defensive display if I’m honest with you.

“I’m proud of the character that is installed in this club as it’s in the walls and the soul of this place and I’m so pleased with how we defended.

“We were in control for much of the first half although we spent a bit of time out of possession.

“I thought Wigan dominated the ball for much of the second half where they created a lot of opportunities but Franco [Ravizzoli] made some very good saves.

“We produced some very good blocks and the way the boys dug in was great.

“There have been days this season where it would have probably gone the other way where we should have won but didn’t.

“So a night like this to secure back-to-back victories is something that we’ve not done much of this season.

“I told the boys about this before kick-off so I’m really pleased.”