AINSWORTH EYES FAIRYTALE ENDING
Chairboys boss ‘full of pride’
GARETH Ainsworth admitted bottom side Wycombe were “gutted” to let slip a two-goal lead as they drew at promotionchasing Swansea City.
The visitors went two goals up six minutes into the second half through Admiral Muskwe and Garath McCleary, but third-placed Swansea mounted a late charge to avoid a calamitous defeat.
Jamal Lowe netted from the penalty spot and substitute Liam Cullen equalised seven minutes from time, only for Muskwe to miss a late chance.
Ainsworth’s side are now nine points from safety, but he said: “I’m frustrated, but full of pride.
“We were fantastic, scored the better goals and we were unfortunate not to get a penalty like they did. But I am amazingly proud of my boys. To come here and do what we have done is fantastic.
“We have got to get 46 points now. We have to win every game, but there are still five teams below that mark. We want to catch others, so who knows. Fairytales happen.”
Andre Ayew limped out of the contest after only eight minutes to leave his side short of attacking options.
His departure came a few minutes after centre-back Ryan Bennett had picked up a yellow card for handling the ball after slipping in a tackle as Wycombe attempted to break clear. That made it a miserable opening for Swans boss Steve Cooper and he then saw his side miss two chances.
Connor Roberts raced on to a misguided back header and forced David Stockdale into a full-length save and then
Conor Hourihane fired a longrange shot inches wide.
Wycombe also had their opportunities at the other end. Some trickery by Curtis Thompson on the left side of the box gave Dennis Adeniran an opening in front of goal, but his lunge sent the ball just past a post.
Swansea had been fortunate to keep their goal intact at the end of the first half when Bennett headed on to the bar, but there was no stopping Muskwe 19 seconds into the second half when he lashed a lay-off from Uche Ikpeazu past Freddie Woodman from the edge of the area.
That stunned the Swans and five minutes later Wycombe doubled their lead. This time it was McCleary cutting in from the left and hitting the bottom right corner that did the damage and sent Wycombe on to cloud nine.
Swansea reduced the deficit when Jason McCarthy conceded a penalty for handball on the floor, Lowe scoring his fourth goal in three games, and then substitute Cullen headed home a Roberts cross with eight minutes left.
Boss Cooper said: “It’s a missed opportunity. We wanted to win and take all three points, especially after playing so well in the last two games. We didn’t play well enough in the first half and we tried to sort that out at half-time. Then we gave away two soft goals at the start of the second half.
“I was left with mixed emotions after the game – the result could have been worse, but also a lot better. It’s going to be an interesting few weeks and whatever there is to play for, we will do so.”