JUBILANT Gareth Ainsworth said last night's win at Exeter City was the result he had been waiting for.

He was delighted that his side's high work ethic finally brought with it the result that was deserved, as they won back-to-back games for the first time since October.

The Blues boss said his players barely had the energy to drag themselves off the pitch at the end of the 1-0 win, secured thanks to a wondergoal from midfielder Max Kretzschmar.

It was a moment of real quality as he lobbed home from well outside the box, but it was the workmanlike display from the Wanderers defence and midfield that most pleased Ainsworth.

He said: "They are dead on their feet. They have given me absolutely everything. This isn't an easy pitch - the going would have been very heavy if it was horse racing. It's overtaken Saturday's momentus effort.

"Nobody's got any energy to smile or laugh or cheer in there. The music's not playing, which is a first.

"They [Exeter] had the better of the first half but second half we broke on them quite a few times.

"This is what we've waited for. Thank you for everyone sticking by me - fans, board and my players."

Ainsworth felt vindicated that his approach to a game - high tempo, pressing high up the pitch and moving the ball quickly to the strikers - paid off as they inched themselves ever clearer of the dreaded drop zone.

He said: "We've always said we've got enough to beat anyone in this league and I kept wanting to be proved right. There hasn't been a lot of difference. The performances have always been there and I've always said that.

"It's been tough sometimes when fans or people in the media want me to slate the players or say there's something wrong. I don't think there's been much wrong. Goal scoring has been an issue and it is still an issue - the forwards need to start firing. There's firepower there and we need to get scoring, but there hasn't been a lot wrong with performances, even when we've been getting beaten.

"We are still playing the same way and we are getting the rub of the green now. Hopefully we've had the bad run and can get on a good run, and someone else can have a bad one and we can start climbing this league.

"We all work hard - we can look in the mirror and know we've given our best.

"If I can keep motivating these boys and keep them going, I'm sure we won't be far wrong.

"We are a big team, staff and team together. The board have given me the backing, the fans have been brilliant - let's keep this going."

Ainsworth was also full of praise for Kretzschmar, who now has five goals to his name despite only starting ten games this season.

He said: "He could have had a brace tonight, which he would have fully deserved. What a strike to win a game. He's scoring goals and turning some heads now - I'm glad I've got him signed on for a couple more years because he's definitely becoming a good asset for the club."