For most a penalty shoot-out represents a dreaded walk from the halfway line under heart-stopping pressure, but for goalkeepers it is an opportunity to become a hero.

Ryan Allsop is, therefore, unflustered by the prospect of a repeat of last year’s play-off final Russian roulette which saw the Chairboys lose to Southend United on spot kicks.

While Wycombe still have a fair bit of work to do in making the final play-off cut, the 23-year-old admits he would relish the chance of becoming an instant hero for his loan club.

“Of course I’d like the chance to do well in a shoot-out. The play-offs are one of those situations where everyone has to step up and there is the possibility of penalties if we make it,” Allsop said.

“We all want to be involved in the play-offs if we can be and we are just taking [each game] as it comes.

“You don’t want to face penalties but when they do happen I am always prepared. It happens in football and it is a chance to shine or bail someone out.”

The Bournemouth loanee was, of course, unable to deny AFC Wimbledon’s Lyle Taylor from 12 yards on Saturday as he faced his first penalty situation in a Wanderers shirt.

Allsop says saving penalties is a skill which it is hard to work on but insists he is fully prepared to deal with them if they arise.

“Baz (goalkeeping coach Barry Richardson) and I speak about it before games, but we don’t do much work on it,” Allsop said.

“There is not too much you can do to prepare for them as it is not something you face too often.”

The former England under-17 international has been hugely impressive since arriving at Adams Park in February and has made the number one shirt his own.

With Benjamin Siegrist’s arrival on loan from Aston Villa and Alex Lynch approaching full fitness, Allsop’s vice-like grip on the position is likely to be tested in the coming weeks.

He may well prove an immoveable object between the sticks though, and five clean sheets in 13 appearances have formed the backbone of a fine two months at Wycombe.

A string of excellent saves add further weight to his cause and Allsop is rightfully relaxed about the potential challenge posed by Siegrist and Lynch.

He said: “I was not told why Benji was brought in, but I don’t think it affects my position as number one too much really. I never rest on my laurels though.

“I think I have done well and hopefully I will carry on doing what I have been doing. That will obviously help me keep my place.

“There is good competition and we all want the same thing, to play games. We push each other to improve and the challenge keeps me on my toes.”