Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth has explained why he made five changes in his side's 2-2 away draw at Hartlepool United in the FA Cup.

Notable absentees from the squad for the first round tie included David Stockdale, Ryan Tafazolli, Jack Grimmer, and Anthony Stewart.

This meant Wycombe started with no keeper on the bench, and just with six substitutes.

However, second string players such as Adam Przybek and Chris Forino got to start at Victoria Park, with the latter scoring the first equaliser, and winning the penalty to rescue Wanderers from going out at the first round stage to lower league opposition.

The two sides will meet again in 10 days time at Adams Park.

Speaking after the match, he said: “David Stockdale missed out due to illness, we’ve got to look after Akinfenwa as he is 39.

“We can’t keep rolling him out every single game.

“And we had three big defenders out in Tafazolli, Grimmer and Stewart.

“Tafazolli and Stewart are injured and Anthony Stewart needed to stay with his family as he has got a baby due this weekend.

"If we had been an hour away,  I probably would have said  ‘come and play and we’ll get you off’, but five hours away, I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if he had missed the birth.

“That’s what we do at Wycombe, and I stand by that decision because some things are more important than football, with that being one of them.

“Having said that, it opens the door for Chris Forino who I thought was magnificent.

“I don’t usually pick individuals out, but, to score and be involved in the second goal, which is a penalty I think it was the correct call, I thought he was solid.

“For someone who has only played 90 minutes in their football career, I thought he did brilliantly.

“He had given up a university place and worked with our development physio for six months, and today has been awesome for him.

“The character the boys showed to get back into the game twice was superb as Hartlepool are a decent side.

“We are in the hat still and that’s all that matters.”

On Hartlepool, who took the lead twice thanks to goals from Mark Cullen and Luke Molyneux, the Chairboys boys added: “Don’t ever take these cup ties lightly as we were this team three or four years ago and just because we have had a little bit of success, doesn’t mean we’re not totally respectful of these cup ties as we have done this to teams.

“Fair play to Hartlepool as they have really given us a game today.

“It was a really tough game.

“The weather conditions were really tough and considering the side we had to put out, with various pull outs, it was a great cup tie and I am pleased to still be in the hat.”