Gareth Ainsworth claims Wycombe cannot be expected to play like Man City after deserving win at Mansfield

While the Chairboys produced a far better performance than the sort that had seen them go five games in a row without a win it was a display that owed a lot to grit.

Ainsworth though feels that even though the quality of his side can improve there also needs to be a realisation that League Two football is often about results rather than playing total football.

“There were a few scares early on and a few shots but I thought we were well worth the win with the energy today and the quality perhaps can get a bit better,” Ainsworth explained.

“This is League Two football though, we are not Man City and we are not going to be ripping teams apart with 20 pass moves.

“Nobody in League Two football is going to do that, so to come away with the three points after a little bit of a sticky patch is what’s important for us.”

What Quality Wanderers did show on Saturday was of a high grade and came in incisive bursts rather than concerted periods of heavy dominance.

Luke’ O’Nien and Aaron Amadi-Holloway epitomised this rediscovered cutting edge as they both finished smartly when presented with chances.

It was the direct opposite of what Mansfield produced as despite enjoying periods of possession and territory they were either profligate with their shooting or found Matt Ingram in inspired form.

The Wanderers goalkeeper made a number of good saves and his defence remained resolute throughout to earn the Blues first clean sheet for five games.

Wanderers restricted the hosts to having to shoot from range and Ainsworth felt that his side were the main reason for the shortcomings of Mansfield’s attack.

He said: “I don’t think the lack of quality in Mansfield’s attack was their fault. It was totally down to the way we set up and the resilience we showed to limit their chances.”

The Wycombe boss will now hope to build on that resilience when his side travel to Halifax Town for the FA Cup first round tie on Sunday.