Oxford 1-2 Wycombe: Chairboys earn promotion to Championship with play-off final victory

Gareth Ainsworth hailed his unlikely heroes and their rock ‘n’ roll style as Wycombe Wanderers climbed into the second tier of English football for the first time in their 133-year history.

This tiny club, with an average crowd of less than 4,000, are destined for the Championship after beating M40 rivals Oxford at Wembley in the League One play-off final.

It is a success against the odds for Ainsworth, their long-serving manager who brings his own brand of rock star chic to the touchline with long hair, open shirts and red leather shoes. 

‘This is Wycombe Wanderers’ greatest hit by a million miles,’ said the 47-year-old who normally reserves Monday nights to practice with his band The Cold Blooded Hearts, and he belted out the national anthem as if he was on stage.

‘It’s an amazing feeling. To take this club into the Championship is surreal, beyond my wildest dreams. 

‘It’s one of the biggest leagues in the world and we’re going to play in it next season. I’m so proud of them.’

Wycombe, in the top two for much of the campaign, were eighth when games were suspended but leapt to third on points-per game and have excelled in the play-offs.

Joe Jacobson settled the final with a penalty, 11 minutes from time, after Oxford goalkeeper Simon Eastwood felled Fred Onyedinma on the break.

They were roared on inside the empty stadium by substitutes, staff and directors, who were all under orders from the manager.

‘I asked, can we be our own crowd? Can we make a difference, even with nobody in there?’ said Ainsworth. ‘We don’t care what we look like if that’s what it takes to get the job done.’

For Oxford, it was a cruel end to a fine season although that was scant consolation for Karl Robinson.

‘Right now, this is as low as it gets,’ said Robinson. 

His side dominated at Wembley and paid dearly for wasted chances and mistakes at the back.

For goalkeeper Eastwood, hero of the semi-final shootout win against Portsmouth, it was a night to forget. 

Less than 10 minutes had gone when he unwittingly turned the ball into his own net after misjudging the flight of a corner from Jacobson, headed back across goal by Anthony Stewart.

Oxford levelled with a freakish goal of their own. 

Mark Sykes miscued a cross from the right and it sailed over goalkeeper Ryan Allsop and into the net.

Allsop made amends with some excellent saves and Stewart was immense as Wycombe survived late pressure to reach new heights.