IAN Evatt insists the performance in defeat at Wycombe was a step in the right direction for Wanderers.

Beaten by a Sam Vokes header at Adams Park, the Whites had also been indebted to keeper Joel Dixon for a penalty save from Anis Mehmeti in the first half.

Dapo Afolayan and Elias Kachunga had chances for Wanderers but Evatt felt the overall effort from his players was a significant improvement on the FA Cup exit at Stockport a few days earlier.

“That was more like us,” he said. “There were two divisions separating those two teams last year and you didn’t see that today.

“There wasn’t a lot wrong with that performance, there really wasn’t. I thought we had big moments.

“They always ask questions from set plays and long balls and I thought our plan was good. We dealt with most of it. They had one or two moments, but that was it, and they scored from a cross and a very, very good header. It was probably the only place he could score.

“But that is what you get when you have ex-Premier League players in your squad.

“We should have taken a chance, we didn’t, but we are much more satisfied with the performance given how bad we were Wednesday.”

Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth was happy to halt a shaky run of form, and restrict Wanderers to minimal opportunities once they had forged ahead.

“There were some worrying moments, but I did say to the lads to trust the system because if we stayed defensive, we wouldn’t have created as much, but, we did stay defensive, we scored and we saw the game out really well,” he told The Bucks Free Press.

“The win is very important as it puts the two home league defeats to bed.

“Our finishing has let us down in the last few matches as we’ve had some good opportunities, but haven’t capitalised on them.”

Ainsworth was concerned when Mehmeti missed from the spot – a week after Joe Jacobson had done the same against Portsmouth.

“I did have a look to the heavens and think about what I’ve done, but, it’s all good,” said the Wycombe boss.

“Garath McCleary coming back is huge for us and despite the penalty, I thought Anis had one of his best games for us.

“He’s learning a lot which is what I want him to do, and David Stockdale was outstanding with the saves he made.

“Sam Vokes as well was superb."