Jackson’s relief after Dons keep clean sheet

By Oliver Bell

AFC WIMBLEDON 1

Smith 77

WIMBLEDON: Goodman 7, Harbottle 8, Lewis 7, Johnson 8, Neufville 7, Smith 8, Reeves 7, Sasu 6, Stevens 6 (Tilley 73, 7), Bugiel 6 (Pigott 73, 6), Kelly 7 (Foyo 68, 7). Subs not used: Ward, Maycock, Ball, Ogundere.

HARROGATE T 0

Att: 8,341 Rating: ★★★★★ Ref: Thomas Parsons 7/10

HARROGATE: Belshaw 7, Sims 7 (Bilongo 31, 7), O’Connor 8, Moon 7, Burrell 7, Fox 7, Morris 7, Muldoon 6, March 6, Taylor 7, Cursons 6 (Sanderson 74, 6). Subs not used: Oxley, Asare, Cornelius, Daly, Gibson.

AFC WIMBLEDON manager Johnnie Jackson was relieved at his side keeping a clean sheet after defeating Harrogate Town.

The south London outfit kept their outside chance of automatic promotion alive with a second-half strike from Alistair Smith.

Wimbledon have made a habit of conceding late goals in recent games, including losing at Swindon last Tuesday with two injury-time penalties. Jackson was fully aware of the nervousness inside Plough Lane late on but felt his side coped with the sure.

He said: “Coming off the back of the last few results, that creates a bit more tension than normally happens.

“When we first conceded late against Barrow, it hadn’t happened before. For it to happen in consecutive games, it doesn’t matter what I say, you’re going to feel it.

“We scored a really good goal that eventually wins it, but when it’s only 1-0there will be moments towards the end that you have to see through.”

The hosts started on the front foot in windy conditions at Plough Lane, although Harrogate were capable of holding their own.

The visitors were forced into a sub after 30 minutes when Toby Sims limped off with Bryant Bilongo coming on.

Chances were at a minimum, with a cross from Aaron Sasu after 34 minutes going well wide, although Josh Kelly fired his effort after 40 minutes straight at James Belshaw.

The Harrogate shotstopper turned a Riley Harbottle header from close range onto the bar before the break in by far the best move of the half.

Wimbledon pushed for an opener after the break, putting pressure on the visit-ing back line without much reward. But their persistence eventually paid off after 77 minutes when substitute Osman Foyo crossed into the area for Smith to slot home – a move that proved the decisive goal.

It meant Harrogate had failed to win away for the ninth straight outing, a run stretching back to January.

And manager Simon Weaver felt one error caused defeat for his side, who sit nine points off the drop zone.

He said: “I feel sorry for the players really, they deserved something from the game.

“One slight switch off was the difference – their midfielder got the wrong side of us and finished his chance well.”