In the aftermath of Saturday’s victory against Carlisle United Blues manager Gareth Ainsworth was effusive in his praise of striker Matt McClure.

The forward had come in for some criticism from a section of Wanderers support in the wake of missing a couple of chances in the previous week’s defeat to Newport.

But in Cumbria the 23-year-old justified his selection with a goal and a stand-out performance.

Ainsworth said: “The third goal is one of the best team goals that we’ve scored this season. It was a real team effort and a fantastic finish from someone who many people probably raised their eyebrows at the start of the game when he was playing.

“Matt McClure’s scored a lot of goals in his career for such a youngster, and he’s a great finisher and he will score many goals for me because I believe in him and that’s important.”

It was the forward’s fifth strike of the season and his first since a brace in the 4-1 win against Southend in December.

The Blues boss said every player needs to have faith shown in them at one stage or another, and he felt he reaped the rewards of that against Keith Curle’s League Two strugglers.

“Sometimes you need belief from other people, not just yourself,” he said.

“We’ve all had bad games on a Sunday in the park or in the Premier League, and it’s about the faith that people show in you that really generates the belief that you can do it and Matty’s paid me back today.

“I’m really pleased for him because it’s a great team effort and he’s on the end of it like a natural striker.”