Gareth Ainsworth made his first appearance since 2013 and set up Wycombe Wanderer’s third in a 3-0 win over Northampton Town in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Danny Rowe gave the Blues the lead after 16 minutes before Paul Hayes added the second just after the interval.

Manager Ainsworth replaced Dayle Southwell in the 85th minute and the 43-year-old released Garry Thompson for a simple finish in the dying stages.

This was arguably Wycombe’s most complete display of the season as they showed a creative spark which has been missing from their game in recent weeks.

They created a number of chances, managed their 3-0 lead well and fully deserved the win against League One Northampton.

They will now look to take the form shown at Sixfields Stadium into their League Two clash with Luton on Saturday.

The Cobblers had the better of the opening exchanges and were inches from taking the lead in the 11th minute when a cross from the left picked out Lawson D’Ath.

He applied the faintest of touches to the cross to send a glancing effort beyond the helpless Jamal Blackman and just wide of the target.

Southwell has been searching for a goal since arriving at Wanderers and some excellent work almost handed him his first Blues strike.

He hounded the Northampton defence cut in from the left and forced a low save from David Cornell to spark a bright period for the visitors.

They made the most of their spell of dominance to grab the go ahead goal after Matt Bloomfield’s long-range drive was turned away for a corner.

Michael Harriman’s resulting set play eluded the entire defence and left Rowe with a tap in at the back post for his first goal since scoring against the same opponents last October.

The goal breathed fresh life into Wycombe’s League One opposition as they began to press forward.

They could well have levelled when Alex Revell flashed a header just over after the 20 minute mark.

Wycombe were still enjoying plenty of the ball and were almost two ahead in the 34th minute when Matt Bloomfield skidded a low drive past Cornell from 18 yards.

The shot from the right edge of the box curled enticingly back in towards the back post and smacked off the base of the woodwork before bouncing to safety.

Ainsworth’s men finished the half the far stronger and Southwell again went close after turning Lewin Nytanga and dragging a shot just wide from 20 yards.

However, they owed their half-time lead to Blackman as he got down well to deny Jak McCourt’s header after he got on the end of Joel Byrom’s free kick.

Wycombe have often failed to make their superiority pay this season, but were in no mood to repeat the mistake as they doubled their lead two just a minute after the restart.

Nick Freeman was at the heart of the goal as he beat his man and slid a fine through ball into Hayes who just managed to stay onside before finishing superbly.

The Wanderers captain raced clear and lifted a delicate right footed chip beyond the onrushing Cornell to mark his first start of the season with a goal.

With a two goal advantage, Wycombe looked to take the sting out of the game and their hosts struggled to break down solid defensive line.

When they did get in behind the Blues back four Blackman provided a reassuring presence between the sticks as he claimed a number of crosses.

Ainsworth’s introduction with five minutes to play proved to have a telling impact as he collected the ball in injury time and picked out a fine through ball.

The pass found Thompson who controlled and slotted a neat finish under Cornell to seal a comprehensive win.

Northampton: Cornell; Buchanan, Diamond, D’Ath (Sonupe 74), Byrom, Revell, McCourt, Beautyman (Gorre 57), Phillips, Nyatanga, Hooper (Hanley 57)

Subs not used: Smith; Moloney, McDonald, Taylor

Wycombe Wanderers: Blackman; Harriman, Stewart, De Havilland, Jombati, McGinn, Rowe, Bloomfield, Freeman, Hayes (Thompson 75), Southwell (Ainsworth 85)

Subs not used: Richardson; Pierre, Wood, Akinfenwa

Referee: Paul Tierney

Bookings: De Havilland (58 Dissent)

Attendance: 1,408 (away 74)