Gareth Ainsworth has praised the performance of striker Sam Vokes following Wycombe’s 2-0 home win over Milton Keynes in the first leg play-off semi-final at Adams Park.

The Welshman bagged his 17th strike of the season in the victory over the side north of the county on May 5, meaning that this is the 32-year-old’s best scoring campaign since 2015/16.

In that season, he helped Burnley gain promotion to the Premier League.

His second-half header was scored 10 minutes before the end, which has given Wanderers a two-goal advantage for when they travel to Stadium: MK for Sunday’s return fixture.

READ MORE: ‘It’s only half-time’ - Gareth Ainsworth on Wycombe's first leg play-off win over Milton Keynes

The goal rounded off a brilliant first season for Vokes at Adams Park, as he was named the club’s Player’s Player of the Year in an award ceremony last week.

Speaking on his performance, Ainsworth said: “When you have a player like Sam Vokes [in your team] who makes the ball stick and flicks things on up front, you have got to use him for his strengths.

“I think that second goal epitomises what he has brought to this team.

“We signed him from Stoke, he has scored at a European Championships and he has humility, and to have him here, at Wycombe Wanderers, is just ridiculous.

“He has taken over the mantel from the bigger man in Akinfenwa who came on at the end.”

READ MORE: Advantage Wycombe in the play-offs as they defeat Milton Keynes 2-0 at a rocking Adams Park

The boss also revealed that instead of shutting up shop, the 48-year-old ‘wanted more’ goals to increase Wycombe’s lead in the semi-finals.

Lewis Wing and David Wheeler both came on in the second period, along with Adebayo Akinfenwa in what was the latter’s final ever appearance at Adams Park.

The boss added: “The substitutions that I made showed that I really wanted to go for it as Lewis Wing and David Wheeler, who are two attackers, came on to try and get some more goals and Akinfenwa was a straight swap for Vokes.

READ MORE: 'I feel like the town is really behind us' - Ainsworth on Wycombe's support, history and owners

“We wanted more.

“Jason McCarthy hit the bar, Jordan Obita had a chance and Garath McCleary also went close so we certainly opened them up."

The second leg will kick-off at 6.30pm on May 8.