GARETH Ainsworth was left reeling by Josh Ruffels 'sucker punch' as Oxford United claimed a stoppage-time win over Wycombe Wanderers.

The Chairboys boss felt his side, now winless in ten games, played well enough to take at least a share of the spoils at the Kassam Stadium to boost their own survival hopes in Sky Bet League One.

They had led through Adam El-Abd and after Jerome Sinclair equalised the visitors missed a penalty from Joe Jacobson and Adebayo Akinfenwa hit the crossbar.

But United found the quality to take maximum points 2-1 thanks to Ruffels's terrific 94th-minute effort which sent the 1,700 travelling fans on the short journey home empty-handed.

Wanderers boss Ainsworth said: "It’s a fantastic finish from their lad in the 94th minute. It’s a real sucker punch for us.

“We played well but the game is about players and moments, and the moment was theirs."

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He added: "We deserved a point, maybe more.

"The missed penalty is going to be looked back on and the chance that hit the crossbar and numerous opportunities.

"I’m sorry it’s not going to be a great trip home and the M40 probably belongs to Oxford tonight, but we’ll be back next season here. I’m pretty sure of that."

U's boss Karl Robinson was quick to praise his opposite number and ensured the home side's post-match celebrations were toned down as a result.

He said: "I want people to notice that they’ve lost in the last minute and their manager shook every one of our players’ hands.

"He’s an unbelievable man. We’ve not put the music on in the dressing room, purely and simply out of respect.

"They are just an honest group of people who work so hard and have overachieved for most of the season.

"You have to show respect to the opposition when you win the way we did."