Four takeaways from AFC Wimbledon’s 2-2 draw with Doncaster – Dons throw away three points as nervous tendencies appear again

After Jack Rudoni and Luke McCormick put Wimbledon 2-0 up, with 30 minutes of the game remaining, two goals in three minutes from Doncaster captain Tommy Rowe denied AFC Wimbledon their first win of 2022.

The Dons are winless in 15 games and just two points above the drop zone.

Here are Edmund Brack’s four takeaways from Plough Lane:

A GOLDEN CHANCE FOR THREE POINTS WAS THROWN AWAY

Football is a results-driven business and AFC Wimbledon are now 15 games without a win and continue to balance precariously over the League One relegation zone.

The returning Jack Rudoni gave the Dons the early lead – planting his eighth goal of the season past Johnny Mitchell after escaping Doncaster’s abysmal set-piece defending.

After the break, Luke McCormick promptly doubled the Dons’ advantage when he guided Lee Brown’s cross past Mitchell.

Wimbledon were in complete control of the game and cruising to their first three points since December 7 – the 2-0 away win against Accrington Stanley.

Doncaster’s performance before the 63rd minute showed that they were a side who deserved to be in the relegation zone, as they offered little threat and looked vulnerable enough to be put to the sword.

But once Tommy Rowe evaded Cheye Alexander at the back post and slotted a shot past Nik Tzanev from a tight angle, Wimbledon’s confidence evaporated and their defensive structure collapsed.

It only took 180 seconds for Rowe to expose Wimbledon’s fragile nerves once again. Wimbledon failed to clear their lines, and the Doncaster captain was left unmarked to head the equaliser past Tzanev.

The players’ nervous streak appears when they have the lead in a game, and it is no surprise that Wimbledon have now dropped 27 points this season from a winning position.

SAM COSGROVE HAS TO STRIKE A BALANCE QUICKLY WITH THOSE AROUND HIM

While the forward provides a physical presence and a focal point to the Wimbledon attack, with only 12 games of the League One campaign, Sam Cosgrove has to develop a relationship with the players around him quickly.

On occasion, during his 70 minutes on the pitch, the 25-year-old looked isolated.

He won four aerial battles, but Cosgrove only completed 23 per cent (three of 13) of his passes when he did have the ball at his feet.

Ollie Palmer’s key strength, which brought Wimbledon their early-season success, was bringing those around him into play and allowing the likes of Rudoni, Assal and McCormick to showcase their talent.

When Cosgrove broke behind the Doncaster defence in the 39th minute, he was caught in two minds of whether to shoot or square the ball across to the waiting Assal, which allowed a Doncaster defender to track back and execute a block.

WIMBLEDON CAN SURVIVE THE DROP, BUT ROBINSON HAS BEEN DEALT A ROUGH HAND IN THE SURVIVAL FIGHT

Head coach Mark Robinson has been forced to do the job with one hand tied behind his back this season.

After seeing Joe Pigott depart on a free transfer, Robinson has had to assemble a squad on a limited budget – granted, due to the loan that needs to be paid back on Plough Lane.

Key players Alex Woodyard, Anthony Hartigan, Will Nightingale and Ollie Palmer all picked up injuries and derailed progress.

And when Palmer, who was the club’s top goalscorer at the time, asked for a new contract amid interest from National League side Wrexham, he was duly sold by the board.

This is a good Wimbledon side – they have outplayed teams around them throughout the season and have the talent to survive the drop from League One – but they have to find a confident core and a resilient mentality.

ALEX WOODYARD AT HIS EVER-CONSISTENT BEST

If there was a small positive that offered solace to Wimbledon fans leaving Plough Lane after the frustration of throwing away the three points, it was seeing Woodyard complete the 90 minutes after returning from his hamstring injury.

Woodyard was barking orders from the first minute, showed the composure on the ball that had been crying out in the centre of the pitch and completed the most tackles (four) of any player.

As the relegation battle intensifies, the captain’s leadership qualities will be vital to drawing performances and a fighting mentality from the Wimbledon side.

PICTURES: LUCY DIXON