Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth believes that his side need to take their 1-1 draw at Gillingham ‘on the chin’ as they continue to push for Championship promotion.
Sam Vokes scored his 15th goal of the season on 20 minutes to give the Chairboys a deserved lead before Jack Tucker smashed home a brilliant volley with 13 minutes left to rescue a point for the Gills.
20 - GOOOAALLL!!!!!!!! SUPER SAM VOKES AGAIN! #Chairboys #GillsFC
— 🏴 James Richings 🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) April 9, 2022
🔵 0-1 🪑
Wanderers also had Lewis Wing sent off for a late tackle on Olly Lee, and even though the result is Wycombe’s eighth in a row without defeat, they have now dropped out of the play-offs due to games won.
READ MORE: League One Match Report: Gillingham 1-1 Wycombe Wanderers
This is because the Chairboys and Sunderland, who currently occupy sixth, share the identical goals scored, goals against, and points record.
Speaking after the draw in Kent, Ainsworth said: “Neil has got them scrapping and fighting for their lives and they certainly did that near the end.
“We look a little bit leggy towards the end but you don’t really want to change a winning team.
77 - Goal. Jack Tucker has just scored a screamer. #Chairboys #GillsFC
— 🏴 James Richings 🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) April 9, 2022
🔵 1-1 🪑
“We were fantastic [against Cambridge] and I’d get lambasted if I made changes today.
“It’s a tough one to take but that’s seven points from the last week is a really good return and I told the boys that, especially with two away games.
“We were sensational against Cambridge and I thought we were sensational today in the first half.
“But they were going to have chances as they were at home and they were scrappy and gambling, leaving everything to chance and it’s a great strike from their boy [Jack Tucker].
“It’s a great goal so I am not going to take anything away from him and Neil has got his team organised.
FT: Gillingham 1-1 Wycombe Wanderers.
— 🏴 James Richings 🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) April 9, 2022
The #Chairboys drop out of the play-off places despite a point against the #Gills. Wing's red card means he will miss the Good Friday match against Plymouth.
READ MORE: Away end at Adams Park is 'sold out' for when Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth
“We take it on the chin but it’s not a huge smash to us as everyone drew around us who beat Oxford who are also around us.
“There are going to be so many twists and turns this season and today was one of them.
“We could have lost it, we could have won it, but we take the point.”
Up next for Wycombe is Plymouth Argyle at home on Good Friday.
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