Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth has expressed his admiration towards Sunderland following the incredible 3-3 draw at Adams Park.

After a David Stockdale own goal gave the Black Cats the lead inside three minutes, strikes from Anis Mehmeti and Sam Vokes turned it round for the Chairboys at 2-1, before Ross Stewart equalised just before half-time.

Then, following a lengthy stoppage due to a serious head injury for Corry Evans, nine minutes were added on at the end of the contest.

READ MORE: Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth sends his well wishes to Sunderland's Corry Evans

This allowed Stewart to get his second of the match in the second minute of stoppage time to give Sunderland a 3-2 lead, but, with seconds remaining, Joe Jacobson bundled over to make it 3-3 at the death.

The outcome of the match was ironic, due to it nearly being called off following a potential Covid scare in the Sunderland camp, but, after the former Premier League side confirmed that several of their players would return for the battle at Adams Park, the fixture went ahead.

Speaking after the thrilling 3-3 draw, Ainsworth said: “Massive credit to the Sunderland fans and I have to give it because you know they will be fantastic.

“They’re brilliant as they are a huge football club and they need to get back to the higher leagues but we matched them today.

“It was a great game.

“I want to give credit to Lee Johnson and Sunderland because they’ve played the game.

READ MORE: Joe Jacobson rescues Wycombe a point in an incredible match against Sunderland at Adams Park

"They have come out and have said ‘we’ll play’. ‘We’ve got Covid cases but we’ll play’ and they have done it the right way.

“I’m not saying anyone hasn’t, but, there are a few rumours going around that they wanted to get to that transfer window.

“We absolutely respect that massively.”

On the opposition players, Ainsworth also praised Sunderland’s man of the moment in Ross Stewart.

The Scotsman, who joined the North East outfit in February of last year from Ross County, has scored 17 league goals this season which has made him the league’s highest scorer this campaign.

His brace against Wycombe means he has now scored six goals in his last three games, and the boss believes this is the beginning for Stewart.  

“Ross Stewart is a hell of a player and he will go onto huge, huge things in his career and today was a huge learning curve for my defenders today.”

READ MORE: Live League One updates at Adams Park: Wycombe Wanderers 3-3 Sunderland

“We have got this team that’s growing and we have got to match these fabulous sides and we’re doing that.”

The result means Wycombe are now third in League One on 46 points, whilst Sunderland remain second but move onto 50 points for the season.