Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth has reflected on his side’s 2-0 loss against Sunderland in the League One play-off final.
A goal in each half for Elliot Embleton and Ross Stewart secured promotion for the Black Cats after four seasons in England’s third tier.
During the contest, Wanderers struggled to get into the contest, with the boss admitting that Alex Neil’s men were the better side at Wembley Stadium.
Give him some love ... amazing man, amazing season ... we're all really proud !!!
— Andrew Gallacher (@agallacher26) May 21, 2022
Since taking over at the Stadium of Light in February, the Scotsman has lost just one of his 19 matches in charge.
Speaking to the press after the full-time whistle, Ainsworth said: “I’m gutted for the boys but we were beaten by the better team.
“I am not going to sit here and say we were unjustly done or anything like that.
“They certainly had the spoils early on, they went 1-0 up and then as the game went on, it was very close.
FT: #SAFC 2-0 #Chairboys
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) May 21, 2022
An incredible season ends in defeat at Wembley Stadium.
Congratulations to Sunderland on their promotion.
We’ll come back stronger next year.#SUNvWYC pic.twitter.com/M3Ma4SXizp
“There wasn’t much in terms of chances, and probably, we created the best chances in the game when they had a nervy spell at the start of the second half.
But their second goal really killed us off and that was a sucker punch that we took.
“I think we played better than what we did today and unfortunately on the big occasion, Sunderland were the better side and that happens sometimes.
“There were times this season when we got away with that, but today, we’re going to have to take it on the chin and regroup for next season.”
It was the second time Sunderland had beaten Wycombe this season, in what was the seventh time the two sides had met one another.
He continued: "We keep upsetting the odds and the pundits and we are a strong squad.
"This is the best squad I’ve ever had at Wycombe Wanderers without a shadow of a doubt.
"We will build resilience from this, we’ll dust ourselves off and I am so proud that we got 83 points in League One, and if we do that again, I’m sure we will be fine next season."
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