‘Big-game mentality’ – Dons boss hails former Portsmouth winger after late winner against Mansfield

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson hailed Ronan Curtis after the former Portsmouth winger scored the winner on his debut in the 2-1 late win over 10-man Mansfield at Plough Lane on Saturday.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 20th minute when Jordan Bowrey was sent off for pulling down Josh Davison after he spun the defender.

Omar Bugiel – playing his first game since returning from international duty with Lebanon – put Wimbledon ahead in first half added time with a sweet strike from the edge of the box beyond Christy Pym.

Will Swan equalised for Mansfield in the 62nd minute when Lee Brown took a touch inside his own penalty area and failed to clear his lines, allowing the visitors to capitalise and bring the scoreline level.

The Stags wanted a penalty late on when Davis Keillor-Dunn went down inside the area, but referee Will Finnie waved play on.

But Ronan Curtis – on his Wimbledon debut after putting pen to paper on a deal until the end of the season – scored the winner for Wimbledon in the 97th minute to end a run of three League Two outings without a win.

The Dons bounced back to winning ways after suffering a 3-1 defeat at Milton Keynes on Tuesday.

“A crazy game,” said Jackson.

“We won it but could have lost or drawn it. Any result could have happened.

“To win it the way that we did at the end, there is why we do these games.

“I couldn’t understand how Jurgen Klopp wants to have a year out. I have only been doing it for two years, but this is great for us after a tough week.

“To have that moment with the supporters was fantastic.

“Ronan is a big player – a big character.

“He’s shown that in the couple of months that he’s been with us.

“That’s what gave us the confidence to go and make the offer to him. He equally wanted to be a part of what we’re doing.

“I know he’s got quality, but the boy hasn’t played for a year.

“You’re tempted to bring him on earlier, but we need to be careful with how we manage him.

“I wanted to bring him on during Tuesday, but the circumstances of the game took that away from us.

“To get him on the pitch was great, but to have that moment at the end, I’m delighted for him.

“And for Ryan McLean. He’s not had many opportunities. He’s not had many opportunities and went away on loan.

“He’s come back to us and had to bide his time, but he’s impacted it – he set up the winner.

“In those moments, you want someone like Ronan Curtis on the end of it because he’s got that big-game mentality.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD