Gareth Ainsworth said Wanderers did the right thing in allowing star performer Josh Scowen to leave the club.

Scowen departed Blues for League One side Barnsley on Thursday, having turned down the offer of a new contract earlier in the season.

Ainsworth felt the time was right to cash in on the 21-year-old, whose current deal was up at the end of the season.

The Blues boss insisted Scowen wasn't actively seeking a move away from Adams Park, but felt he had no option other than to accept Barnsley's bid with the youngster free to leave in the summer.

The transfer fee involved has not been disclosed but chairman Andrew Howard said it will plug the gap in Wanderers' finances caused by Wasps' departure to Coventry.

Howard recently told a meeting of the Wanderers Ex Players' Association the shortfall from Wasps leaving was just shy of £240,000, indicating the fee received for Scowen is north of that figure.

Ainsworth said: "We want to get the financial side sorted and stable, and we can build a good team from there.

"Every fan who's cheered for Josh and every player who's played with Josh can take pride they helped with the financial side of this club and getting this club on a solid footing, so we can build again.

"We did everything we could to keep Josh Scowen but when the big clubs come calling it's hard to compete. That's not just Wycombe, that can be any League Two club.

"His contract was up in the summer. There was a three and a half year deal we offered - we wanted to try and keep him with us.

"These lads are ambitious and why not? Go and test yourself at the highest level.

"I don't think Josh was looking to move on. Under me, if you play as well as you possibly can, teams are going to be watching. I'm sure there were a few people watching my players here today. We're sitting top of the league and that's what happens."

Scowen attracted interest from Championship side Blackpool last year, with the Seasiders making a bid to take him to Bloomfield Road on April's loan deadline day.

He rejected the move however, instead helping Wanderers avoid relegation before making his 100th appearance for the club prior to his departure.

Ainsworth, who gave Scowen his first start for Wycombe, added: "This happens a lot in League Two. There's no sour grapes. It's down to me and my coaching team to go and find the next gem, smooth off the edges and get him in the team."