ADAM Le Fondre scored twice as Wanderers put themselves right back into the automatic promotion hunt with a 4-2 humbling of direct rivals Fleetwood Town.

Phil Parkinson’s side earned their first away win since November in stunning style, with David Wheater and Mark Beevers also getting on the scoresheet.

Kyle Dempsey and Anthony Grant scored the consolations for Uwe Rosler’s Fleetwood, who had been undefeated in their previous 18 games.

Parkinson had sprung a surprise in his line-up bringing Darren Pratley back for his first start since the opening day of the season.

The club captain fractured an ankle against Sheffield United and had been unregistered from the 23-man quota enforced by the Football League as part of the transfer embargo.

But he produced a heroic performance in the middle of the park at Highbury, leaving to a standing ovation from the Wanderers fans.

“We were first to every ball and the midfield energy of Darren Pratley and Josh Vela really added something to us,” he said. “Just picking up those regains in the middle of the pitch made a massive difference.

“Daz had a good week in training but we didn’t decide to use him until Thursday.

“We had a practice match on Thursday and he played really well. We had a chat and he’d been due to play for the Under-23s on Monday night but it got called off, so I said to him ‘it’s that time of year Daz, why not get fit in the first team?’ “He is a good enough player to do that. We’d planned to use him for 60 minutes but I shouted on to him and he wasn’t having it. He managed to battle on longer.”

Another surprise name on the team-sheet was that of midfielder Jem Karacan, who made his debut as a late substitute after signing a one-month deal.

Wanderers move up to third, a point behind Fleetwood with a game in hand after a satisfying win for their manager.

“It was a big game in terms of league positions but I am so pleased with the way we played,” he said.

“We looked strong, disciplined and dangerous as well. We had plenty of attempts, hit the post in the first half, and were unlucky with a few others later on.

“I am disappointed to concede the second. Even at 4-1 you only had to look at Barcelona the other night to see what can happen if you let your foot off the gas.

“That was nit-picking because all-round it was an excellent performance.

“It’s a very tight pitch and very different to the environment a lot of us are used to but we handled it really well.”