Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth heaped praise on Nick Freeman after the playmaker equalised with a coolly taken penalty in the Blues' 1-1 draw with Accrington.

Freeman beat Stanley keeper Dimitar Evtimov from the spot after Scott Kashket was fouled in the area.

Accrington took the lead in the first half through Dion Charles' header but Wanderers improved after the break to take a share of the points.

Ainsworth said: "Nick showed nerves of steel.

"We had Joe Jacobson and Alex Samuel off the pitch so who takes the penalty. You want someone to go and get the ball and Nick went and got the ball, and he is a very technically gifted player.

"The only thing I was thinking was which foot is he going to take it with because he is fantastic with both but to slot it in the corner was great.

"Any penalty that hits the net is a good penalty and like I said, it was a crucial time and it was a crucial penalty and I think we have a good player on our hands with Nick Freeman.

"He is going to be a star of the future at higher levels and it is nice to have him at Wycombe."

The Blues fought back in the second half and had chances to win the game but Ainsworth admitted he wasn't happy with his side's below-par display in the first 45 minutes.

He added: "Five more minutes and we could have taken all three points.

"We could have had another penalty and I think that one of their players could have been sent off but they are a good side.

"They are a handful to play against and I think they will rise in this league.

"I am happy it is not two defeats on the spin. I did have to have some choice words at half-time as I thought we were a bit lacklustre and maybe a bit of a hangover from Saturday's defeat.

"We have lost one in nine which is fantastic."