Gareth Ainsworth said his decision to pick an attacking starting XI paid dividends against Cheltenham at Adams Park.

Marcus Bean has been entrusted with the task of holding in front of Wanderers’ back four in recent weeks but he was left on the bench as the Wycombe boss selected Sam Saunders ahead of him in midfield.

The Brentford loanee had missed the defeat to Burton on Easter Monday through injury but justified his selection against the Robins with an energetic display as Blues overcame League Two’s bottom side.

Ainsworth said: “I wanted to push an attacking formation today. Marcus Bean does a sitting job, a quite defensive job away from home and he’s great at that.

“At home I thought we needed to really attack them. I felt in the first half we did that, and in the second half as well but they put on pressure with the wind. I thought my front three, six at times, were outstanding with the pressing they did and their work rate.

“Sam’s only trained one day this week so it was a brave decision by himself and by his manager to put him in. It paid off, it doesn’t always go like that but it’s nice when it does.”

It was Saunders’ second half corner which found the head of Alfie Mawson for Wanderers’ winner as they recovered from being pegged back two minutes earlier to regain the lead.

The final whistle at Adams Park was met with relief amongst the Blues faithful, and their manager, after successive defeats had dented their promotion push.

“After two defeats, that I personally believe were very harsh with decisions going against us, it was important to get back to winning ways, especially at home,” said Ainsworth.

“Great character from the boys, the boys have given everything. We’ve got a few knocks which isn’t great.

“The next three weeks are going to stretch us, but if they show spirit and character like they have done today then I’ve told them they will win every game.”

Matt Ingram was rarely tested and kept his loud goalkeeping jersey spotless for the most part before an error from Paul Hayes paved the way for Durrell Berry to smash home an equaliser from the Robins’ second attempt on goal.

The Wanderers manager said his captain held his hands up in the dressing room after the match.

“It’s a sloppy goal to give away. Hayesy’s come in and apologised for that and that’s fair enough,” he said.

“Paul Hayes is allowed to make a couple of mistakes because he’s been outstanding this season. He’ll be the first person to say “it was my mistake” but what a reaction and what a response.

Alfie and Aaron have got some sort of goal competition which is great from your centre backs but they earn their bread at the other end of the field. I thought they were fantastic in defence today.”

It wasn’t just the goalscoring defensive duo who had earned praise from the Blues boss, with Sam Wood and Nico Yennaris also earmarked for acknowledgment with the former filling in at left-back after Joe Jacobson had been taken off injured.

Ainsworth said: “Alfie was winning headers, Aaron Pierre sweeps up and Nico and Sam, after JJ had gone off, were outstanding.

“We’re really proud and pleased with that result today because that was a big one. Don’t think it was an easy game because they’re bottom; they’ll beat teams this season.”