Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth gave his full backing to striker Adebayo Akinfenwa as he saw the experienced front man miss gilt-edged chances to beat league leaders Exeter on Saturday.

Akinfenwa, usually so assured in front of goal, missed three glorious opportunites to get the winner at home to Paul Tisdale's side.

Despite those misses, Akinfenwa caused mayhem for the Exeter defence and his performance deserved one of those chances to hit the net.

However, Ainsworth is adamant Akinfenwa will bounce back with two big away games this week against Carlisle and Swindon.

He said: "Missing chances happens. If a right back has a bad day you don't seem to notice but with centre forwards you do.

"Bayo has been fantastic. The chances he creates for us, and scores, is special and we can't rely on him to score hat-tricks every game.

"Other people have to pitch in and they have done this season. At this moment in time everyone is expecting the net to ripple so much and our fans expect us to score.

"Bayo was a real thorn in their side and their keeper made some good saves.

"I thought a couple of the crosses sent in to him were flashed across. They were more difficult then it seemed but he will be back and I am sure his name will be in the paper again very soon because he is a fantastic player to have around and we couldn't be without him."

Wanderers also kept their first clean sheet at home this season and Ainsworth was effusive in his praise of his defence.

He added: "The resilience today when we needed it was great. There were a couple of good blocks and Scott Brown hasn't had a save to make in the second half.

"That is testament to the boys in front of him and I thought we kept them quiet."

All roads lead to Carlisle now for the Blues tomorrow evening and Ainsworth admitted he is slightly concerned that injuries are mounting, after having just six substitutes on the bench on Saturday.

He commented: "We may have less than six.

"A couple of the boys limped off. Tyson and Harriman are out long-term and we hope Saunders and Umerah can be back in time and they will both be close to playing this week."