Wycombe get Ainsworth believing

Manager Gareth Ainsworth could not hide his delight as Wycombe hit back from a goal down to beat Oxford 2-1 at the Kassam.

Second-half goals from Paul Hayes and Peter Murphy over-turned Oxford's first-half lead, provided by Danny Hylton from the penalty spot after he was adjudged to have been brought down by Joe Jacobsen. But Wycombe did have a let-off in stoppage-time when Hylton spurned a second penalty, blazing over the crossbar after Callum O'Dowda was bundled over in the box. "I thought we were the better team and the three points were fully deserved," Ainsworth said. "I've brought Peter Murphy in to score goals from midfield, and he's done that. I've got an exhausted set of lads in the there now, but we can't be happier. "It's early days and the table will change massively between now and the end of the season, but the signs are great. "I just remember where we were this time last year and how we only just managed to stay up at the end of last season. "I've only got 19 players and no youth team, that's all, so to be where we are is fantastic. I can't even have proper 11 v 11 games in training." Oxford head coach Michael Appleton felt his side were well below their best. "We started the game okay and obviously going in at half-time one-up was pleasing, but apart from that 15 minutes just up to half-time we didn't really get it together and do ourselves justice. "The first 15 minutes of the second half was where it went wrong. They got the first goal with a bit of fortune, a deflection falling to Paul Hayes, and then it was a good finish from him. "When you're top of the league that's what happens, and when you're at the bottom of the league that's what happens against you." It was the second week in succession that Oxford had lost after leading at half-time. They went down 2-1 at Carlisle in similar circumstances the previous Saturday. "If we keep taking the lead we'll go on and get some wins soon," Appleton added. "I'd rather be taking the lead than not, we just need to go on and get a second goal sometimes. "A few players of mine lacked responsibility in the final third. We weren't good enough in the final third, and that's what has cost us. "Wycombe had an extra yard in their legs from the confidence that winning games brings. "But we won't be moaning, screaming and groaning, we just have to get on with it and be better next time." Appleton was reluctant to blame Hylton for his stoppage-time penalty miss which would have brought the U's a draw. "I think Danny was always going to miss at some time, but we'll get behind him to make sure it doesn't affect his confidence for the next time, and I'm sure he'll be okay to step up and take the next one," he said. "I suppose the only thing you can say is that he should at least have hit the target." Breaking news, transfer gossip, line ups and goal alerts from your football club - delivered direct to your mobile. Sign up for Sky Sports Alerts