WANDERERS boss Gareth Ainsworth admitted he wasn’t sure how beneficial a single point against Northampton Town might prove in the long run.

A win would have done Ainsworth’s struggling side the power of good, but Blues knew a defeat would have proved catastrophic and sent them into the relegation places for the first time all season.

After today’s results it’s turned out not to have been too bad a point gained for Wanderers, who managed to claw an extra place up the table on goal difference after Bristol Rovers – who visit Adams Park for another do-or-die clash next Saturday – were beaten at Portsmouth.

Former Wycombe striker Matt Harrold did his utmost to land his old employers in deeper trouble, twice scoring equalising goals for the Gas in front of a sell-out crowd at Fratton Park, but a Wes Fogden winner means three teams on either side of the relegation divide are level on 47 points each.

Exeter City are just above Wanderers on 49 points after drawing yesterday, while Hartlepool United suffered a sixth successive defeat as Blues clawed back some of the gap on a side who only a few weeks ago looked comfortable in mid table.

With so many twists and turns over part one of the Easter weekend double header – and plenty more to come before the end of the season – Ainsworth was perhaps right to reflect after yesterday’s 1-1 draw with Northampton: “It’s difficult for me to say it’s a point gained.

“It wasn’t a must win game, it was a must not get beaten game, and we didn’t get beaten. That’s probably about as much as I can say on getting a point.

“Obviously we need some more points to be safe and we’ve got every opportunity to do that.”