Fortress fortune is favouring Chairboys
BOSS Gareth Ainsworth conceded there was an element of fortune about Wycombe Wanderers’ winner, but felt three points were no more than his team deserved after their showing.
In a game of few clear cut chances Michael Harriman’s cross from the right flank on 68 minutes beat everyone inside the penalty box, including Stags stopper Scott Shearer.
With Mansfield having scored just one goal in their four outings before the trip to Adams Park it was little wonder they failed to carve a way back into the game.
Manager Ainsworth said: “The boys are turning Adams Park into a bit of a fortress and I think the defence can take a lot of credit.
“The attackers always take the credit, but I think we limited them to one chance where Ryan Allsop has made his save.
“I thought we dominated the game and had the majority of the chances. We were knocking on the door and asking questions and we finally got an answer.
“It probably wasn’t the prettiest of goals.Was it a shot or was it a cross? I will leave Michael Harriman to answer that one, but he is a fantastic player and had a fantastic touch to set himself before the goal.”
Mansfield resisted all Wycombe’s early adventure and mustered their best chance of the game on 23 minutes when Chris Clements broke clear, but his tame prod toward goal was competently dealt with by Ryan Allsop.
So strong were Anthony Stewart and Aaron Pierre at the heart of the Wycombe defence, that Mansfield’s forwards mustered little else throughout.
Right-back Jason McCarthy fluffed a chance to put Wycombe ahead shortly before halftime when he inexplicably dragged wide from six yards.
But the winner arrived when Harriman beat Mal Benning on the right flank and sent a low leftfooted cross through the penalty area and into the bottom corner.
Defeated Mansfield manager Adam Murray said: “There was nothing in the game really and we knew we would have to defend for large parts because of the way Wycombe play.
“They put you on the back foot constantly. People say it is not pleasant to watch but it is affective and you have to take your hat off to them, they make you defend non-stop.We did that for large parts, but you look at the goal and it is embarrassing.
“It was a cross and if it is a shot it is the best shot I have seen.
“He shouldn’t get in that position in the first place and we knew exactly what their strengths were and the lads knew what was coming.”