Dave Hunt-Jackson’s takeaways from AFC Wimbledon’s 1-0 defeat at Stockport – Promotion hopes blown but Mansfield loanee should be made permanent

AFC Wimbledon produced a much-improved display as they were narrowly beaten 1-0 at Stockport on April Fool’s Day.

On the evidence of this 90 minutes the day must have been named for referee Lewis Smith, who barely got a decision right all game and allowed the home side to maul the South Londoners while dishing out yellow cards to the visitors for the most innocuous of challenges.

Smith got the one big decision right in awarding the Dons a penalty just after the half-hour mark but the out of form James Tilley failed to hit the target, dragging a poor effort wide via the outside of the post.

Wimbledon matched their hosts despite this setback until the 85th minute when substitute Odin Bailey punished some slack defending by rifling an unstoppable effort past Alex Bass to secure all three points for a very fortunate County side.

Here are Dave Hunt-Jackson’s takeaways from the match at Edgeley Park.

BRAVERY IN DEFEAT BUT THIS ISN’T WHERE PROMOTION HOPES WERE BLOWN

This was a good display from Johnnie Jackson’s team – even without Jake Reeves and Armani Little – and they frustrated the League Two leaders for almost the entire match.

A similar level of performance would have been enough to beat either Crewe or Harrogate in the two previous outings, not to mention so many weaker League Two opponents during a season where a lack of consistency has cost them dear.

Against Mansfield twice, Barrow at home, Notts County twice and on a few other occasions, AFC Wimbledon have shown they have the team and squad to challenge anyone in this division when they play at or near their best – but those occasions have been far too rare.

Below-par displays against Sutton, Accrington and Morecambe twice, to name but a few, have meant that a great opportunity for at least a play-off berth has been missed.

Although this season is ending far less badly than the 2022-23 one, there needs to be considerable improvement next term if the Dons are to realise their potential, which for two seasons running they have failed to do.

Jackson can count himself fortunate to have been handed a new two-year deal and he really has much to do to repay the faith of the Dons hierarchy next term.

OUT-THOUGHT YET AGAIN

Wimbledon were by far the better side in the first half but created nothing aside from the penalty.

Tilley had no impact on a game he was lucky to start and should not have finished. Jackson should have replaced him with either of the two right-backs on the bench yet allowed a player whose low confidence must have taken a further blow to continue to fail to influence proceedings.

He then took off  John-Kymani Gordon his most threatening player, before finally throwing Josh Davison on after Stockport scored.

Davison didn’t touch the ball and didn’t win a header, which could have been of no surprise to anyone but his manager.

Stockport boss Dave Challinor made five changes, including the match winner Bailey.

Yet again the opposition manager reacted to the game in front of him while Jackson did not.

Jackson and his team need to be much more proactive and adventurous if they are are oversee a genuine promotion bid next season and they need to learn to make changes that have a positive impact in the outcome of games.

O’TOOLE WOULD BE A GREAT SUMMER SIGNING

Having looked rock solid at centre-half, John-Joe O’Toole was asked to partner James Ball in midfield to accommodate the return of ex-Stockport pair of Ryan Johnson and Joe Lewis.

He was outstanding again, and even at the age of 35, he looks a cut above at this level.

With Mansfield almost certain to release him in the summer, he really should be high on the shopping list of Wimbledon’s head of operations Craig Cope.

Not only does he have the versatility to play in defence or midfield, but he still has the ability to excel in either and must be worth inviting to make his loan permanent come the next window.

NEED TO END THE SEASON ON A HIGH

Wimbledon have just four games left and having picked up just two points from the last 12 available are in danger of finishing a second successive season with a whimper rather than a bang.

If they are to persuade the likes of Little and Omar Bugiel to renew their contracts then ending the season strongly would certainly help. Momentum is everything in sport and it will do wonders for players and supporters alike if the Dons can gain as many points as possible from the ones left on offer.

While the last play-off place is surely impossible, a four-game winning run would be a record under this manager and a top-10 finish would send the players and fans into the summer break in great spirits.

With so many fringe players expected to leave, and assuming Cope’s recruiting record is maintained, then nothing short of a play-off place at least will be acceptable.

The club has a chance to put a marker down between now and May and they need to take it.

PICTURES: Sean Gosling