Dons can’t get anything from mid-table Plymouth as Northampton pull away from drop zone after grappling home victory over Shrewsbury

AFC Wimbledon’s hopes of avoiding the drop were dealt a blow this afternoon when they lost by a single goal at Plymouth – while one of their rivals Northampton bagged a crucial three point home victory.

The Cobblers were level pegging with the Plough Lane club at kick-off, thanks to Joe Pigott’s winner on home turf a week ago.

But Sam Woods’ strike at Home Park was enough to see off Mark Robinson’s side in Devon.

And Ryan Watson hit a 27th-minute winner at a relieved Sixfields to re-open a three-point gap over the Dons.

But it was AFC Wimbledon’s first defeat in five games and Robinson will hope a home victory over mid-table Fleetwood on Easter Monday could give them enough impetus to take them closer to safety, with nine games remaining.