Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth was delighted with his side's battling qualities as they gained a vital point in the promotion race with a 0-0 draw against Lincoln City.

The game was played at a frightening tempo in a hostile atmosphere at Sincil Bank but the Blues grabbed a deserved draw against the Imps to remain in third in League Two.

Both sides had chances, with Nathan Tyson and Paris Cowan-Hall coming close for the visitors whilst the hosts' Matt Rhead had a goal disallowed in the first half.

Ainsworth said: "It was a fantastic atmosphere and what a place this is now to come.

"I have come into the lions den and that makes this point even better for me.

"There were some fantastic performances against a club like Lincoln who are going places.

"They are able to buy players and to be able to stand up to that and be resilient was fantastic.

"I am really proud of what we have done here. I had an illness strike the club this week.

"Luke O'Nien came off Saturday ill and he must have passed it onto Dominic Gape, who was ill in the week and Scott Kashket missed training on Tuesday due to illness.

"Akinfenwa wasn't feeling that good before the game and it is tough and we did what we had to do to get a point.

"We had more shots on target than them and their keeper Ryan Allsop made some fantastic saves.

"With Exeter winning it makes it tighter but a draw on Saturday will keep us in third place.

"The fans were brilliant once again and thanks so much to them and they really got behind us.

"They saw a performance to be proud of from the players."

Talismanic frontman Akinfenwa went off injured in the first half and Ainsworth admitted is a concern.

He added: "It is something that we are worried about. He came off with a tight calf and we have to assess that over the days but it showed we can play a different way without him."

Young loan defender Nathan McGinley was outstanding in just his eighth professional appearance for the Chairboys and Ainsworth praised his display up against the man-mountain Rhead.

He said: "Nathan is learning and he is going to learn in games like this.

"His record when he has played for us is phenomenal. Think we have won six out of eight when he has played for us.

"He has been awesome. He has mistakes in him, of course he has. He is a young lad learning the game.

"Thank you to Tony Pulis [Middlesbrough manager] for letting us have him and hopefully he can go back with a promotion on his CV."