GARETH Ainsworth hailed the character of his players as Wanderers returned to the top of League Two by coming from behind to beat local rivals Oxford United.

Blues overturned a half time deficit to lead 2-1 courtesy of Paul Hayes and Peter Murphy both notching their seventh goals of the season, with victory confirmed as Oxford striker Danny Hylton skied a late penalty that would have given the U’s a point.

A draw would have been an unfair reflection of the balance of play as Wanderers played some pleasing-on-the-eye football in addition to winning their individual battles against each of their opponents.

Hylton was voted the home side’s man of the match yet was rarely seen in the second half as Aaron Pierre and Alfie Mawson won every header, while Hayes put the home defence on the back foot every time he got the ball.

Ainsworth reserved particular praise for his skipper, who dragged Blues back into the game with the equalising goal.

The Blues boss said: “Hayesy led the line superbly, Hogan [Ephraim] set the place alight, the centre halves were outstanding second half. When you talk character, you talk captains and you talk Paul Hayes – he was outstanding. He’s got a group of boys who will work hard with him, work hard for him and for me.

“Matt Bloomfield played right wing and his experience was key. Their left back is a decent player, very young and physical – I could have matched him with a young player but I thought I’d go with experience.

“We had to battle for that. It’s passionate. There wasn’t much in it first half – second half we were much the better side.

“It’s great character. We got them all ready for this one.”

He added: “It’s a great way to win a derby. If it was scripted, you’d go 1-0 down at half time and come back second half and win 2-1.

“I thought we were the better side and created the majority of the chances. Some of our moves, if we’d have scored goals at the end of it, they would have been fantastic moves.”

Hylton’s missed penalty at the death was his second of the game, having put Oxford into the lead in the first half after being fouled by Joe Jacobson.

Ainsworth had his doubts over the awarding of that one, but said he had no complaints at the second spot kick as Sam Wood pushed over Callum O’Dowda.

He said: “The first one was very dubious. JJ said he’s dangled a leg. It’s silly mistakes that cost that you have to nullify – you get punished for silly mistakes.”