Boss Ian Evatt admitted Wanderers had only themselves to blame after letting a winning position slip to end up empty handed on Boxing Day, writes Pete Oliver.
The Whites were worthy of a 1-0 lead at half-time against top-six rivals Barnsley in front of an excellent holiday crowd.
But most of them went home disappointed after Barnsley struck twice in the last 10 minutes to take the points from a 2-1 victory – their seventh on the road this season as they went above Wanderers, who slip to 10th, in the League One table.
“We have to dust ourselves off and go again but we have to learn from our second half because our game management in particular was extremely poor,” said Evatt. “We've only got ourselves to blame. The crowd were excellent today. They were fully supportive of the players.
"No-one can say anything about that because they were excellent. We just didn't do it in the second half and not to see the game out in the last 10 minutes is very disappointing.”
An excellent goal from Klaidi Lolos capped a bright start from Wanderers as they looked for a first win in three games after bouncing back from their home defeat to Wigan with a positive point at high-flying Wycombe.
But much of the good work was then undone by a poor showing in the second half which will now demand another response against Lincoln City on Sunday when the festive programme continues with Jay Matete back from suspension to strengthen an injury-hit midfield and defender Eoin Toal also in line to return to the squad.
“We were patched up, but no-one wants to hear that,” added Evatt, who confirmed that striker Victor Adeboyejo had missed the game through illness. “We have to take ownership of the second half and it wasn't good enough.
“We didn't start the second half well. Our game-management was poor and our decision-making at times was very poor.
“Our goal was a well-worked goal and we should be two ahead because Aaron has to score with that chance. It was bright in the first half and it was a good game.
“They're a dangerous team, especially away from home, and I thought we dealt with it pretty well and had some opportunities ourselves but it didn't take them.
“In the second half, all the right messages and I hear all the right things but all I hear at the moment is words and not enough actions. We didn't start it at all well and didn't recover. I’m bitterly disappointed.”