Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth hailed his side's comeback against Crewe Alexandra as Craig Mackail-Smith scored a late winner to beat the Railwaymen 3-2 at Gresty Road.

Mackail-Smith came off the bench to secure a third league win in a row for the Blues after Crewe had equalised in the 87th minute thanks to Harry McKirdy.

Earlier, the home side had taken the lead on five minutes when Chris Porter scored a penalty after Nathan McGinley had tripped Charlie Kirk in the box.

Paris Cowan-Hall levelled matters on the hour after being set-up by Adebayo Akinfenwa's excellent header.

With seven minutes remaining, Nathan Tyson poked home from a yard out after Akinfenwa and McGinley caused chaos in the box before the late drama commenced.

Ainsworth said: "They never know when they are beaten.

"We definitely deserved something out of this game. The firepower I have on the bench is awesome with the likes of Craig, Nathan and Kashket.

"To have those forwards is great and they changed the game for me.

"I am really pleased with the win as it is a tough place to come and Crewe are fighting for their lives.

"We score goals and the firepower I have is phenomenal. I thank the fans, the board and the 500 Club for backing me and it is times like these when you need those players.

"Tyson came on and was a thorn in the side for Crewe and Mackail-Smith came on and does what he does best. He is a sniffer.

"We started well and then gave away a sloppy penalty and then the second goal, Browny might be disappointed he didn't hold it but he has been in superb form for us.

"It was great to see Scotty Kashket get some minutes. We still have to be patient with him but he is going to a big part in the push.

"We only have four fit defenders at the club but they kept it to two and we scored three which is great."

McGinley, in only his second ever EFL game, showed a huge amount of character after his early penalty error and Ainsworth backed the young defender to shine.

He added: "He is very raw and very new to professional football.

"He is used to the under 23s. You can take two touches in your own box and make the pass but in League Two you can't do that.

"It is a great lesson for him and he learnt it early on and it didn't cost us anything.

"He is getting stronger and he definitely has a career in the game and we will work with him and he has some great names to learn from here."

It was also Wanderers' first game since the passing of Blues legend Cyrille Regis, who ironically scored the winner the last time Wanderers won at Gresty Road 24 years ago.

Ainsworth paid a glowing tribute to Regis after the win. He added: "I did mention in the dressing room before the game that he was a great man.

"I was lucky enough to be playing when he was and he was a Wycombe legend for that one season.

"To score the last winning goal at Crewe Alexandra before this game, I am sure he was smiling down when Craig popped up with the winner and I am very proud."