AFC Wimbledon 4 Swindon 1 – Dons powering towards safety as goals rain in again at Plough Lane

BY DANIEL MARSH

AFC Wimbledon took an emphatic stride towards League One survival with a thumping 4-1 win over sorry Swindon Town.

This slaughter of the Robins was the ruthless Dons’ third win in a week – netting a stunning 12 goals in the process.

The result leaves them five points above the League One relegation zone with a superior goal difference and a game in hand on the majority of the teams below them.

Joe Pigott notched his 50th Wimbledon goal from the penalty spot to give the hosts the lead in the 20th minute. Will Nightingale netted his second goal in as many games just six minutes later, before Ayoub Assal poked home his fourth goal of the season on the stroke of the break. Pigott added his second of the game in the 54th minute to wrap up the points.

Tyler Smith stabbed home a 79th-minute consolation for Swindon.

It was the visitors who made the brighter start in SW19, with Scott Twine going close inside the opening 30 seconds. Minutes later, Nik Tzanev had to be alert to thwart Jack Payne from six yards before the loose ball was steered on to the Dons crossbar.

Perhaps that fast start from Swindon spurred the hosts, as they fought back in style to blow their visitors away.

Wimbledon found the breakthrough from the penalty spot midway through the first half after Jack Rudoni was bundled over in the area. Pigott stepped up and made no mistake – dispatching the spot-kick coolly into the bottom left-hand corner.

It didn’t take long for the Dons to double their advantage either.

Nightingale was in the perfect spot to power home Rudoni’s pinpoint delivery from a free-kick just six minutes later to leave the rock-bottom visitors with a mountain to climb.

It could have been a cricket score before the break, with both Pigott and Ayoub Assal striking the crossbar before Lee Camp made a good stop to deny Rudoni.

Assal wouldn’t have to wait much longer to get his goal. He poked home his fourth goal in eight games after Ollie Palmer’s effort was deflected into his path just before half time.

The 19-year-old picked up where he left off after the break, striking the woodwork for a second time just minutes into the second half.

Swindon couldn’t cope with the tricky teenager, and he tormented the Robins again to tee up Pigott to sweep home his second goal of the game.

Smith grabbed a late consolation for the Robins after Scott Twine’s sensational 30-yarder crashed back off the crossbar. But it was too little too late for the abysmal visitors, who now seem resigned for the drop to League Two.

Wimbledon, in contrast, now feel as though they are on the verge of survival after a successful week.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD