SCOTT KASHKET was Wycombe’s main man once again as he gave Wanderers a gritty 1-0 win in Gareth Ainsworth's 200th league game in charge against Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road.

The in-form hitman struck his 13th goal of the season with an exquisite volley on eight minutes from the edge of the box which arrowed into the bottom corner of Russell Griffiths’ goal after superb hold-up play from Adebayo Akinfenwa.

Chances were few and far between in a scrappy affair but the Chairboys held out, despite not being at their best, for a ninth win in 10 games in all competitions.

Ainsworth was forced to make two changes from the team that drew 3-3 with Plymouth Argyle on Boxing Day. Scott Brown replaced the injured Jamal Blackman in goal and Sido Jombati replacing Michael Harriman at right-back.

Kashket got the Chairboys off to a flying start in an otherwise quiet opening where both sides didn’t create too much of note.

Wanderers were being roared on by 871 raucous fans and after Kashket’s goal, Luke O’Nien had a chance moments later but his header went just over.

Wycombe were looking dangerous everytime they ventured forward with attacks being started by the incisive play of Dominic Gape.

Cheltenham were trying to force their way into the contest and were trying to test the Wanderers backline with a series of corners but Wycombe defended these stoutly.

The Robins had their first effort on target when Aaron Downes’ header was tipped over by Scott Brown on 35 minutes.

Then a real flashpoint occurred as Kashket was played in and rolled the ball around Griffiths and went over in the six-yard box. Referee Kevin Johnson booked the former Orient man for diving.

Moments later, Wycombe had another shout for a penalty after a handball in the area. Wycombe’s players appealed vociferously but Johnson waved their claims away.

Cheltenham started the second half well with a corner being awarded in the first minute. However, Harry Pell headed onto the roof of the net.

The game was still simmering early in the second period, with an even game being played out.

Town were working hard but Wanderers were equal to the challenge and not really giving the Gloucestershire side a sniff.

Wanderers always looked lively when they had the ball and a dangerous passing move on the hour involving Gape, Kashket and Sido Jombati allowed Gape to cross before the ball was cleared.

Kashket was still looking lively and on 67 minutes, he hit a right-foot shot from the edge of the area which Griffiths saved well after more good work by Akinfenwa.

Gary Johnson’s men were still in the game and a lovely move involving Pell saw him shoot over with 18 minutes remaining.

The Robins were continuing to probe at Gareth Ainsworth’s team but Wycombe were still looking solid, defending well when long balls were being floated into the box.

Cheltenham had their best chance of the game on 77 minutes when Jack Barthram crossed from Amari Morgan-Smith but he could only volley straight at Brown from six yards out.

Brown was then called upon again a minute later when Dan Holman hit a shot from the edge of the box but the Wycombe stopper was equal to it.

The last 10 minutes saw The Robins really put the Chairboys under pressure and Barthram missed a sitter in injury time after Brown made a superb save to deny Rob Dickie.

There was relief when Johnson blew the full-time whistle and next up for Wycombe is a home tie against Newport County on Monday, and Ainsworth will be hoping his side can continue their impressive run.

WYCOMBE WANDERERS: Brown, Jombati, Stewart, Pierre, Jacobson, Gape, Bloomfield (sub: Wood, 88), O’Nien, Cowan-Hall (sub: Thompson, 65), Akinfenwa, Kashket (sub: Weston, 70). Subs: Richardson, Bean, Rowe, De Havilland.

CHELTENHAM TOWN: Griffiths, Dickie, Downes (sub: Barthram, 70), O’Shaughnessy, Cranston, Rowe, Storer (sub: Dayton, 46), Pell, Waters, Wright (sub: Morgan-Smith, 69), Holman. Subs: Kitscha, Parslow, Munns, Arthur.

REFEREE: Kevin Johnson

ATTENDANCE: 3,761 (Wycombe 871)