Garath McCleary was praised by his manager Gareth Ainsworth after his brilliant performance against Preston North End.

The 33-year-old played the full 90 minutes against Alex Neil’s men on December 5 and scored Wycombe’s equaliser three minutes after the restart.

READ MORE: Gareth Ainsworth on Wycombe's performance against Preston

It was his first goal for the club and his first goal since November last year, when he scored for Reading against Luton Town in a 3-0 win for the Berkshire side.

Speaking after the draw, Ainsworth said: “Garath McCleary is a quality player.

“He has proved that with his goal and he’ll soon be up to match fitness.

“Scott Kashket will be disappointed as he missed a one-on-one but he has been superb for us [this season], and his [goal] was a great finish, the one that came off the post.

“It was a case of just not quite enough and it feels like a defeat in there [the dressing room], which is again, a positive.”

“I’m turning everything into positives because a few years ago, Preston tore us apart 5-1 at home in the FA Cup.

“So, I’m really proud of the boys.”

Finally, the manager spoke about Anthony Stewart who was taken off on 67 minutes with an injury.

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He said: “Anthony Stewart has tweaked his knee.

“I’ve got bare-bones for my back four at the moment but again, this is Wycombe, this is what we do and we go again.”