Gareth Ainsworth believes the substitutes made a difference in Wycombe’s 1-0 win over Fleetwood on March 15.

Adebayo Akinfenwa, Jack Young, and Brandon Hanlan all came on during the second half and their attacking play in the final few moments of the contest eventually led to Jason McCarthy’s last-gasp winner.

However, despite the three points, the boss hopes that the Chairboys can kill of teams ‘earlier’ as they continue to push for Championship promotion.

Wanderers have eight games remaining, with five of those fixtures against sides that are either fighting to avoid relegation, or, are in mid-table.

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Those matches are against Doncaster (April 2), Cambridge (April 5), Gillingham (April 9), AFC Wimbledon (April 18) and Burton (April 30), respectively. 

Their three other games are against Portsmouth (March 19), Plymouth (April 15), and Sheffield Wednesday (April 23), who are pushing for promotion.

Ainsworth said: “We would like to put the game to bed earlier if we can.

“The boys have been fantastic, and I got them in this afternoon working on set pieces to try and get a bit of momentum into us and they have come up trumps and I’m really proud.

“Jack Young was a shining light, Bayo made his mark as he always does and Brandon [Hanlan] also made a difference as we did look like we were getting a bit tired.

“I’ve been able to pick the regular team that I’ve picked lately and picking the same 11 can take it out of your legs, so, maybe some of the fringe players might get a look in for Portsmouth on Saturday.”

The boss has also praised the defensive display as the Chairboys kept their third clean sheet in four games, taking their league shut outs for the season to 14.

He has also changed formation as Wanderers have now gone for four at the back, rather than the usual three with two wing-backs.

Ainsworth added: “We’ve addressed a few things as we went through a real bad patch of four games, where were conceded five, then three and then a 0-0, but it seems like that little wobble is now a distant memory which is great.

READ MORE: 'We needed these three points' - Gareth Ainsworth reflects on Wycombe's win over Fleetwood

“The boys have really turned up as we defend as a unit and they’ve been brilliant.

“We don’t do things undramatically as we always raise the heart rates of everyone and I’m just glad we got that goal because it was deserved but it was really harsh on Fleetwood on the way it went in.

“If Garath’s, Brandon’s or Daryl’s chance had gone in, then maybe they would have been able to swallow that better.

“It did look harsh but we will take that.”

Finally, Ainsworth provided an injury-time update on midfielder, Curtis Thompson.

The 28-year-old has missed the six matches, and it’s expected that he’ll miss the remainder of the season.

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The boss said: “Curtis Thompson is still on crutches from his tackle in the Cheltenham match.

“It’s a nasty one.

“If we can extend the season for as long as possible, I’m sure Curtis might feature.”