“Disappointing” – Glyn Hodges gives verdict as AFC Wimbledon lose at Gillingham

BY DANIEL MARSH

Glyn Hodges felt his side’s five-game unbeaten run come to an end in “a disappointing way” after AFC Wimbledon fell to a narrow 2-1 loss at Gillingham.

The Dons made a slow start in Kent and were behind after just three minutes to a Kyle Dempsey goal. Ben Heneghan ensured the visitors went in level at the break, but Dominic Samuel struck early in the second period to seal the points for Gillingham.

Wimbledon passed up on the opportunity to record rare back-to-back victories.

“We’ve been on a good run and it’s a disappointing way to lose it,” conceded Hodges when making his assessment after the match.

“We’ve played worse than that and got results. We probably didn’t do enough. We had chances that we didn’t take, but we’ve played worse than that and won. They dominated the first 10 minutes of each half, they started strongly and scored their goals. We recovered well in the first half, but then in the second it just wasn’t quite there.”

Hodges was left frustrated by the match officials following a couple of penalty shouts for the Dons, and both he and Nick Daws were deep in conversation with referee Brett Huxtable after the final whistle.

“We had a free-kick with Joe Pigott that their player’s put his arm out for. It’s a penalty, but apparently that’s a natural position. I don’t know if that is. I don’t understand it, he said it’s his natural silhouette. Unless you’re walking down the road like a proper South Londoner like that with your arms out, I don’t get it.

“Then Will’s been pulled down with his shirt at the end for another penalty. I don’t know what you’ve got to do to get a penalty.

“What they say has no weight, it doesn’t back it up. Hopefully when he looks back at the video like he says he does, then maybe we’ll get an apology.”

Hodges did have praise for scorer Heneghan, who was making his first start for the club since joining last week.

“He’s great, he’s a threat at that end and at the other he stood up to the onslaught that they throw at you. He must have headed the ball more times tonight than he has in a while! He was big and strong – he’s just what we need.”

PHOTOS: PAUL EDWARDS