Matt McClure was happy to repay the faith shown in him by manager Gareth Ainsworth after he netted what proved to be the decisive goal of an entertaining 3-2 victory against Carlisle on Saturday.

The striker came in for some criticism from Blues fans after squandering a couple of chances against Newport last weekend, but he came good at Brunton Park as he netted for the first time since December.

Aaron Pierre and Fred Onyedinma grabbed one each before McClure sent a sweet left-foot shot past Raphael Spiegel in the home goal to put Wanderers three up, and the 23-year-old relished being back amongst the goals.

He said: “It’s nice. I’ve been in and out of the team and I missed a couple of chances last week but the gaffer just said ‘look, I believe that if you keep getting chances then you’ll stick them away’.

“I missed a couple before I scored, but that one will give me a bit of confidence.”

It was the forward’s fifth strike of the season and it capped an industrious display from the frontman which could have seen him bag two or three against the Cumbrians.

Ainsworth himself said a few people would have “raised eyebrows” when they saw McClure’s name on the teamsheet on Saturday, but he said the striker’s performance vindicated his decision.

“Matty is a goalscorer. I’ve said all along, since I came to the club, that he’s a clinical finisher, and sometimes strikers go through these little periods,” he said.

“I think it’s important to stick by people and show faith. I’ve had bad games and managers who’ve stuck by me have reaped the rewards.”

Ainsworth’s reluctance to change a winning team should see McClure stay in the starting XI for as Blues return to Adams Park on Saturday looking to put consecutive defeats on their own patch behind them with a positive result against Stevenage.

McClure understands that there will be rotation between himself, Aaron Holloway, Steven Craig and Paul Hayes for the forward roles, but he will ready when called upon.

“The more games I play, the more chances I’ll get and hopefully the more goals I’ll get,” he said.

“We’ve just got to see the season out now injury free. There will probably be a few changes and I’ll miss out on a couple of games, but I’ll make sure I’m on top form for when I come back in.”