Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth has explained why he opted to start with Sam Vokes ahead of Brandon Hanlan in the club’s 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers.

The Boxing Day clash at Adams Park saw the Chairboys make two changes to the side that defeated Ipswich Town nine days earlier, as Ryan Tafazolli replaced the injured Alfie Mawson in the centre of defence, with Hanlan dropping to the bench for Vokes up top.

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Vokes had not started the last three games for the club following some flat performances, but his display against the Pirates was very much a reminder of what he can bring to the team, despite not getting on the scoresheet.

The Welshman played a part in Wanderers’ equaliser, after they went 1-0 down in the first half.

Gareth Ainsworth said: “It was a different home win for us.

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"Recently, we have played some free-flowing stuff on the wings but today [December 26], I thought it was going to be a physical battle.

“We started with Sam Vokes which I knew was going to raise a few eyebrows, especially after we went 1-0 down as some fans might have been asking for Brandon Hanlan, but trust me, I have been in this game long enough to give us some success.

READ MORE: Live updates at Adams Park: Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 Bristol Rovers - Chairboys defeat the Pirates

“And our first goal was brilliant as it was from a Vokesy flick on, to Garath McCleary, to Anis Mehmeti who gave it to David Wheeler and we’re level.

“It was a perfect goal but the win was the most important thing the boys got it.”

On the opposition, he added: "Joey [Barton] has got his team playing in a good system as Bristol Rovers are hard to mark and defend, but we got to grips with it.

"I was thinking about changing the formation in the first-half because we worked on something midweek but I wasn’t too satisfied with it.

"So I stuck with what I know best as it got us the win and work well in our favour."

Up next is Plymouth Argyle away on December 29.