Two of the four players who started in defence for Wanderers at Wembley paid tribute to the 20-year-old who was barking instructions at them against Southend.

Alex Lynch made just his third start in professional football when he walked out for the League Two play-off final at Wembley – the other two coming in the semi-final against Plymouth.

Filling in for crocked number one Matt Ingram, the stopper produced an assured display and was only beaten when Joe Pigott steered a 122nd minute equaliser past him.

When the match went to penalties Lynch saved from Ben Coker to hand Wycombe the initiative before they eventually succumbed to defeat.

Marcus Bean, a veteran of over 350 career games, said: “Lynchy’s first three games have been two play-off semi-finals and a final, that’s incredible. For me, he was very good again today (Saturday); his handling was good, he saved a penalty and he couldn’t have done anymore.

“On days like this you just have to look at yourselves and ask ‘could I have done anymore?’ and he couldn’t.”

Aaron Pierre also had words of praise for the young stopper, who joined the club last summer after his release from Peterborough.

“It’s ridiculous,” he said. “I’ve been looking forward to this [playing at Wembley] all my life and he just comes in for four games and he’s already there.

“It’s good to share these experiences with young players because these are our goals and most of the experienced players have already been there and done it at their previous clubs. The fact that our squad is very young means we can all experience it together as one.”