Gareth Ainsworth believes the character of his players could be a defining factor as the race for an automatic promotion place in League Two hots up.

In the second half against Southend on Saturday the match was passing Blues by, and a home victory looked inevitable at Roots Hall.

But the belief garnered by a campaign which has seen Wanderers a near constant presence in the top three this season was evident as they hauled themselves level in the closing stages against a side who would have moved to within two points of them with a win.

“It’s the character that’s really special here,” said Ainsworth.

“The homework we did in the summer is still paying off to this day, eight, nine months later. I think it’s great for me, it’s a great learning curve for me on recruitment.

“Your characters are sometimes as important as your talent and we have some good characters here. I think they know in the dressing room they’ve got away with one today (Saturday), but we still got a point and it’s a big point.”

This is very much a team built in the mould of their manager. A team which doesn’t know when they are beaten, a team which has a work ethic comparable to that of any in the division and a team which continue to defy the odds.

The real question for Wanderers is will they have become a League One team when May rolls around. Ainsworth will make sure it won’t be for the want of trying if they come up short.

He said: “It’s my first year with my philosophy, my team. Andrew Howard’s in his first year with what he wants to put down and I think it’s been a pretty good year so far.

“Hopefully we can have a great ending to it, but the fans should be proud of what the players have done already. They’re a good group and I’ll be pushing them all the way this year.”