Gareth Ainsworth believes Dayle Southwell’s first goal for Wycombe Wanderers will help relieve pressure on the striker.

Southwell scored the only goal in the 1-0 League Two win over Stevenage to open his Chairboys account and hand Wanderers a much-needed three points.

The 22-year-old has cut a frustrated figure at times this season, but Ainsworth feels his maiden strike will allow him to play with greater freedom going forward.

“Everyone is so pleased to see Dayle get off the mark and that was so important for him. I think confidence will just ooze out of him now,” Ainsworth said.

Everyone wants goals from him and Dayle wants goals from himself. I am hoping the pressure is off a little bit from himself.

“There was never any pressure from me and the effort and work rate is what I base everything on. I know he can finish and is a goalscorer.

“He has been firing in training and is a great finisher, one of the best I have seen in a long time.”

The win at Adams Park ended a sequence of three defeats on the bounce in League Two for Wycombe and also saw them rediscover their defensive solidity.

They have now climbed to 19th in the table, and while Ainsworth still expects his side to improve, he praised the mental fortitude they showed to end their losing streak.

“I cannot fault the mental side of the boys today. I thought after a tough run they’ve come up trumps and have really deserved to win,” he explained.

“We are back up the road next weekend and have a full week to work again. Hopefully we can get something out of the Carlisle game.

“19th position in the table is not good enough for me, no way. I know I have a team full of winners in there and they know what we can achieve.”