‘We’re playing on a rugby pitch – not a football one’ – Dons head coach critical of Plough Lane playing surface

AFC Wimbledon head coach Mark Robinson expressed his concern with the state of the pitch at Plough Lane after the 2-2 draw with relegation rivals Doncaster Rovers.

Goals Jack Rudoni and Luke McCormick put the Dons 2-0 up and on course to pick up their first victory of 2022.

But, with 30 minutes of the contest remaining, two goals in three minutes from Doncaster captain Tommy Rowe snatched two points away from the South Londoners.

Rugby League club London Broncos share Plough Lane with AFC Wimbledon.

When asked about having the ability to bring Jack Rudoni and Ayoub Assal back into the starting line up after being without the duo for the past two games, Robinson said: “It was good.

“I’m not someone who makes excuses. There are squads out there with 28 players, then they lose a player, and they say how difficult it is.

“We didn’t have a centre-forward for three weeks during this run. I was without key players for a long time, but I just got on with it.

“Maybe I don’t do myself any favours by allowing excuses. I could say that I was quite happy to have rugby down here, but nobody told me that we would be playing on a rugby pitch.

“They told me it would be alright. But we’re not playing on a football pitch, we’re playing on a rugby pitch.

“Maybe I need to be a bit more honest about everything as well.”

Robinson praised Alex Woodyard after the midfielder made his first start following his return from a hamstring injury that he picked up in the 1-1 draw with Burton Albion in late January.

Woodyard, 28, completed the full 90 minutes and had played every minute of the League One campaign before he was sidelined.

The midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season.

Robinson said: “I have been without him for eight games, but I don’t bleat about these things. Doing what he does, his stats are the most influential of any midfielder in the league, and I have been without him.

“Many of those draws, I believe possibly could have been wins if I had him, but it is what it is – you get on with it.

“You saw his influence today, and he has done fantastically well to see the 90 minutes out.

“I got told only to give him 70 minutes, but I couldn’t because he is such an influence.”

PICTURES: LUCY DIXON