AFC WIMBLEDON 2
Browne 60, Stevens 85
BARROW 2
Campbell 88, Mahoney 90+6
Andy Whing believes his Barrow side are going from strength to strength after battling back from a two-goal deficit to draw with promotion-chasing AFC Wimbledon at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
The hosts appeared to be cruising towards victory after Marcus Browne’s opener and Matty Stevens’ 17th League Two goal of the season.
However, Dean Campbell halved the deficit in the 88th minute before Connor Mahoney’s goal deep into stoppage time salvaged a point for the visitors.
Whing felt his side deserved something from the game after a dogged display in South West London.
Excellent
“I thought we were excellent throughout,” he said.
“We probably lacked a bit of quality at times, probably in transition.
“I think if we had got that right we would have won the game today.
“But we got into really good areas and I am really really pleased with the result.
“I think if you look from the Crewe game until now it is chalk and cheese, it’s absolutely outstanding.
“In that Crewe game we kind of went under.
“It was 3-0 and it could have been more, but we looked miles better today, I think the shape and everything about us.
“We have gone toe-to-toe with a team that is flying high so we should be pleased with our efforts.
“Disappointing the way we let them score the first goal and then get a second goal straight after, but it took massive belief to come back and get a point.”
Match action
The game burst into life in the 24th minute when Browne hit a thunderous half-volley just inches over the crossbar from outside the box.
The hosts should been ahead in the 33rd minute when Stevens and James Tilley both failed to turn Josh Neufville’s excellent cut-back towards goal.
Bluebirds forward Ben Whitfield volleyed wide from point-blank range after half-time.
Second half
He was made to pay for his disappointing finish in the 59th minute when Browne latched onto Joe Lewis’ long pass before drilling the ball into the top-right corner.
The home fans thought it was 2-0 four minutes later when Browne tapped the ball into an empty net, but the goal was disallowed for an offside in the build-up.
Dons top scorer Stevens thought he had wrapped ped up the win after scoring in the 85th minute.
Neufville sent over a perfect cross that Stevens powerfully headed home.
However, Campbell scored an 88th-minute goal, driving home a shot from the edge of the box to make the home fans sweat in the closing stages.
Then, in the sixth minute of stoppage time, Mahoney produced a stunning shot that nestled into the bottom corner to rescue a point for Barrow.
Gutted
“The players are gutted, it is a game we should win,” said Dons manager Johnnie Jackson.
“There is nothing that I can say now that is not going to make them disappointed but we will come in on Monday and we will be ready to work.
“We have another big game next week, we could have had two more points on the board of course, but we are still in a good position.”
Player ratings
AFC Wimbledon: Goodman 5, Hutchinson 7 (Ogundere 80, 6), Lewis 8, Johnson 6, Neufville 8, Smith 6, Reeves 7, Maycock 6, Tilley 7 (Furlong 81, 6), Browne 7 (Kelly 81, 6), Stevens 6. Subs not used: Ward, Foyo, Harbottle, Sasu.
Barrow: Farman 7, Foley 7, Canavan 7, Cameron 7, Jackson 7, Spence 6 (Fletcher 79, 7), Gotts 6 (Mahoney 79, 7), Newby 7, Whitfield 6 (Campbell 64, 7), Smith 6 (Acquah 80, 6), Pressley 7. Subs not used: Stanway, Tiensia.
Star Man – Josh Neufville (AFC Wimbledon)
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