‘Why can’t we dare to dream?’ – Dons boss targets EFL Trophy success after booking final eight spot

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson has challenged his side to reach the final of the EFL Trophy after they booked their place in the last eight of the competition on Tuesday night.

A James Tilley brace saw the Dons knock out League One high-flyers Oxford at Plough Lane.

The Dons also knocked out current table-toppers of the third tier, Portsmouth, in the previous round.

This is the furthest Wimbledon have been in the competition since 2014.

The final is set to take place at Wembley on April 7.

“It’s a great chance,” Jackson said of winning silverware for the Dons.

“We have shown [what we can do] against opposition from a higher league.

“Why can’t we challenge ourselves to go all the way and dare to dream?

“We have taken it very seriously. That’s not to say that we’re going to win it because we have three more games to get through, but it’s a great opportunity for us.

“We will be trying our best to go all the way.”

Wimbledon, seventh, head to Wrexham, third, on Saturday as they look to close the gap to the automatic promotion spots.

Jackson’s side are 10 points away from the top three but will be without Ali Al-Hamadi, Omar Bugiel, Josh Neufville and Alex Pearce for the trip to Wales.

The former Charlton boss added: “On the back of a really good performance and result tonight against Oxford, we’re going there with confidence.

“They have good players and a really good team that can hurt you – we will have to get our game plan right.

“We have shown against any opposition that we have a threat – we will always have our moments.

“We will have to go there and defend well. We will have to suffer at times with the way that they play at home – it’s really hostile and difficult.

“A tough game against a big team. It’s why you do it and what you do it for.”

PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS