GARETH Ainsworth said securing a point in a “horrible game” at York City was a reflection of the strides Wanderers have made since last season.

Blues showed a resilience that was missing during their year of struggle as they battled and scrapped their way to a point against a side on an unbeaten run of 22 matches across two seasons.

A dustbowl of a pitch, with sand flicking up on numerous occasions, a strong wind blowing around Bootham Crescent, and two teams packed with big players meant a pretty game of football was never likely to be on the cards.

But whereas last season Wanderers may have caved in under the pressure they suffered at the hands of York, this time around they stood firm and actually had the clearest opportunities to win as City keeper Michael Ingham made good second half saves to foil Steven Craig and Paul Hayes.

Ainsworth said: “If people look at the result they will think, ‘great point away from home at York’, and I’m looking at it like that. The strides from last year are evident.

“We had a couple below par but in the past when we’ve had a couple below par, that’s a loss.

“We managed the game better than York, taking our time on our set plays and getting them spot on and realising it’s not all rush, rush, hurry, hurry sometimes. We were controlled, calm, professional, calculated in seeing a 0-0 draw out. We did that really well today.

“The pitch is very sandy. It’s a pitch York will be used to, which makes it more the sweeter for me, because they play here week in, week out. They know what to expect.

“It was a horrible game. They are very direct but we countered everything they gave us. The clean sheet is a big bonus as well.”

The Blues boss added: “We created the two best chances of the game and could have nicked the three points – I’m not sure I would have gone in for a drink [with York manager Nigel Worthington] afterwards if we’d have done that.

“I think a draw is a fair result. They didn’t create much. They huffed and puffed a lot around our box, but I thought we handled everything they gave us.

“For the first month of the season, I’m proud of what everyone’s achieved at Wycombe. Well done boys, but I’m bringing you back down because on Monday we’ll be back on the training ground ready for Coventry on Tuesday.”