Ainsworth hails Wycombe win

Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth believes his side are discovering the importance of grinding out results after beating Hartlepool 1-0.

After consecutive draws against fellow promotion-chasing Luton and Shrewsbury, the Chairboys got back to winning ways thanks to Fred Onyedinma's first-half strike. They had further chances to seal the win against League Two's bottom side although Pool did hit the post late on before substitute Lewis Hawkins was sent off. Ainsworth said: "It was a tough one and we go top. The points with Luton and Shrewsbury become more important now after that win. "But the Shrewsbury and Luton games were just as tough as Hartlepool. We had to play with a high tempo and we wanted to crush them first part of the game - I'm not saying we did that but could have had goals on a few occasions. "It's a 1-0 win and this was enjoyable in its own way. The team we faced up at Hartlepool fell away last time, this time they went stronger and they will cause problems for team. "They won't be far away from Ronnie Moore's first win and I'm just happy it wasn't then. "Managing the game is important, it was good to see it out like we did. I'm really pleased with some of the players to play different formations and the two centre-halves were immense." Onyedinma had already gone close before opening the scoring in the 37th minute following a swift counter-attack which resulted in him beating Scott Flinders at his near post. The visitors barely threatened until the 87th minute when Dan Jones headed against the post, seconds before Hawkins received his second booking. The result leaves Hartlepool 10 points adrift at the bottom of the table with manager Moore still without a win since taking charge last month. "I thought it was better, a lot more commitment in there, we were a bit lucky at times, but we had three new players in there," he said. "We hit the post late on, but didn't create much, but all the lads who came in contributed. "If we can add three more to the squad it gives us more of a lift. "Wycombe are top, it's a tough game and they play a direct way and we competed well. We gave away too many silly free-kicks, but it was a marked improvement. "We are still looking for new players, we played a new system with new players. "But it's another defeat and we go again. I feel we are moving in the right direction and we have a full week now to work with them. We need that elusive win, I can't wait and they can't wait."