Ainsworth’s pride after Wycombe delay their drop

PROLONGING their Championship status until the final day represents a ‘phenomenal’ achievement f o r Gar e t h Ai n s wor t h after Wycombe ended their home campaign with a victory.

Uche Ikpeazu’s superb early strike saw Wanderers overcome pl a y- o f f bound Bournemouth which, coupled with results elsewhere, delays a relegation that has long seemed inevitable.

Only a near- impossible set of circumstances, featuring a win at Middlesbrough, a victory f or Sheffield Wednesday over Derby, dropped points for Rotherham and a staggering reversal of goal difference, would keep Wycombe in the second tier.

But keeping their heads above water for so long – largely thanks to four wins in seven – is anachi evement t o be proud off for Ainsworth.

‘This club is at 40 points. There’s no R next to our name,’ said the manager, whose side have been bottom since December. ‘It’s going to take until the last whistle of the last day for us to be relegated, if that happens. I couldn’t be prouder with that stat. It’s phenomenal.

‘We’ve upset the odds once again, but the boys deserved the win.

‘ The goal was fantastic, t he defensive display was brilliant and the work-rate from some of the boys was just brilliant.’

B o u r n e mo u t h had already secured a top-six finish but they will earn a home play-off semi-final second leg should they beat Stoke and Swansea lose at promoted Watford on the final day.

Manager Jonathan Woodgate. said: ‘We’ve still got momentum. Out of nine games, we’ve won seven. That’s fantastic i n any stretch of the imagination.

‘ Fair play to Wycombe, they scored an absolute worldie.’