‘Punished’ – Dons boss reacts to Newport draw

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson says his side picked up a hard-earned point in their 1-1 draw at Newport yesterday – but believed they were punished with the one long throw they failed to deal with.

The Dons took the lead in the fifth minute when former Wycombe forward Ali Al-Hamadi collected a cross inside the area and slotted a shot beyond Joe Day.

Newport equalised in the 69th minute when Harry Charsley reacted quickest inside the area to smash the ball past Nik Tzanev.

Wimbledon are winless in their last nine League Two outings. However, the point stopped the run of four straight defeats.

“It was a hard-earned point. I thought we were outstanding in the opening half. We scored a really, really good goal again, which Ali took fantastically well.

“We knew that they would come out in the second half – they had the luxury of making five changes which gave them momentum in the game.

“Their momentum was from throw-ins. They had a long throw which can reach your box from anywhere in your half. 

“I felt we dealt with 95 per cent of those brilliantly. The one we don’t deal with, we get punished. 

“We have to settle for a point. We wanted more, but it’s a tough place to come.

“We have been on a run – you don’t want to lose – but I have come into every one of these games thinking we can win.

“I have come out of every one of these games thinking we could have won or drawn – and I feel that way tonight. 

“We had the better play and created the better moments through our football. I’m really pleased with the players and the fight they have shown – they have crawled off the pitch because they have given everything.

“That’s all you can ask from the lads.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD