Gareth Ainsworth believes his Wycombe Wanderers team are ‘a worthy rival’ to Oxford United following the Chairboys’ 2-0 victory over their Thames Valley neighbours.

First-half strikes from Sam Vokes and Anis Mehmeti secured the three points for the Adams Park side, as the club completed the double over the Yellows for the first time since the 2000/01 season.

The win now lifts Wycombe into seventh place – just two points off the play-off spots.

They have also kept six clean sheets in their last 10 league matches.

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Speaking on the performance, Ainsworth said: “I thought we deserved the win because the boys pressed really hard.

"I changed formation to having a four at the back, because I had a feeling that Oxford might change formation too.

“They did a really good job against Ipswich [on Saturday] who are a very good team.

“They had chances but we shut them out really well and we have done that quite brilliantly recently.

“Everyone was superb from your Grimmer’s, to your Tafazolli’s, to your Wheeler’s, Scowen was fantastic again, and Oxford, I think now, look at Wycombe as a worthy rival.

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“For years, Wycombe were this little team down the road that they could always beat with Swindon being their number one rival.

“But I think it’s fair to say that Wycombe can be a match for them, and I am proud of that as we’re fighting at the top end of League One when 10 years ago, we were near the bottom of League Two.”

On the performance of Sam Vokes, who ended a 12-game barren run without a goal, Ainsworth added: “He should be touching double digits already this season.

“There have been a few that have been disallowed and I can’t understand why, but for someone who scored 17 last season, I do believe Sam will have a purple patch and get to double digits very soon.”

Finally, with no game until February 4, the boss once again revealed that the midweek schedule is a ‘negative’ for his preparation.

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Ainsworth concluded: “It’s a negative for me as I don’t want these midweek fixtures in February and March as you have got no time to prepare but as a player, you just want to play.

“I used to love playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday as I felt I could play forever, but give me a week’s break in between so we can prepare.

“It’s a lot different for a manager.”

Wanderers’ next match is away at Port Vale – one of Ainsworth’s former clubs, in 10 days' time.