Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth has he was ‘devastated’ after his side fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Shrewsbury Town.
Garath McCleary gave the hosts the lead early in the second period, but a Matthew Pennington header and a Luke Leahy penalty succumbed the Chairboys to their first-ever home league loss against the Shropshire side in 15 attempts.
The defeat is also Wycombe’s second in a row as they drop to 18th in the League One table.
87 - Penalty to Shrewsbury. #Chairboys #Salop
— James Richings (@James_BFP) August 13, 2022
🔵 1-1 🔴
READ MORE: Late penalty condemns Wycombe to their second consecutive league defeat of the season
This was in spite of Wanderers having 19 shots on goal with 11 being on target, compared to Shrewsbury’s five on goal, and two being on target.
Both of those two attempts were Shrewsbury’s goals.
Speaking to the press after the defeat, Ainsworth said: “I’m devastated for the boys as that was some of the best stuff we have played for a long time going forward.
“But you have got to defend your box at set pieces, and you have got to put your head were it hurts.
“That was the difference.
READ MORE: Ex-Wycombe favourite joins foreign club ending rumours bringing him back to Adams Park
87 - Goal to Shrewsbury. Luke Leahy smashes it down the middle. #Chairboys #Salop
— James Richings (@James_BFP) August 13, 2022
🔵 1-2 🔴
“You can’t have all the shots, possession, and great play and then not defend.
“The game was won and lost in the penalty areas and we didn’t hurt them enough.
“That’s the story of the game, but we will keep it in-house and we will go again.”
It is the first time since February that Wycombe have lost back-to-back league games, and the first they have been defeated at Adams Park since the 3-1 home loss against Wigan Athletic that month.
Up next for Wycombe is an away trip to Exeter City on August 16.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here