‘That’s my frustration’ – AFC Wimbledon boss on Cheltenham defeat after missing out on chance to move into automatic spots

Johnnie Jackson believes his AFC Wimbledon side should have picked up maximum points as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Cheltenham on Tuesday evening.

The visitors had the chance to take the lead after eight minutes when the ball fell to George Miller inside the area and he flashed a volley beyond Owen Goodman’s right-hand post.

Cheltenham took advantage of their good start in the 24th minute when Brentford loanee Ashley Hay met a Ethon Archer cross and looped a header over Goodman.

Wimbledon brought the game level in the 36th minute when James Tilley headed Josh Neufville’s cross back towards Joe Day’s goal and the ball bounced beyond Robins keeper Joe Day.

Alistair Smith should have put Wimbledon ahead in the 50th minute when Neufville pulled the ball across to him inside the area, but the Lincoln loanee dragged his effort wide.

Jackson’s side continued to dominate the second half but were unable to apply the finishing touch – Marcus Browne driving forward and being dispossessed before getting a shot off.

Browne then flashed a cross along the face of the goal in the 72nd minute, which took a deflection but was unable to find a way into Day’s net.

Wimbledon were made to pay for their inability to turn possession into a lead when Hay won a battle against Joe Lewis and set up the onrushing Matty Taylor, with the substitute curling a shot just inside the box beyond Goodman to put Cheltenham ahead.

The Dons were unable to find a way back into the game and stayed outside of the automatic promotion spots in League Two.

Jackson said: “Three days ago we were on top of the world and had a great result here [a 2-0 win over Notts County].

“Three days later we’re down in the dumps and have to take it on the chin. There wasn’t loads of difference between performance levels.

“We dominated in the main like we did on Saturday, but we only have one goal to show for our efforts and shipped two the other end.

“The first one was a real soft one. It’s a frustration.

“We have done more than enough to get something from that game tonight, so it’s particularly annoying.”

Wimbledon would have gone third with a win having had a game in hand over automatic promotion rivals Doncaster, but instead slipped down to fifth with Notts County beating Grimsby 2-0.

Jackson added: “It’s not going to be plain sailing for anyone [before the end of the season]. 

“You look at it tonight, and yeah it was an opportunity to close the game.

“Saturday will be the next game and that’s it.

“I don’t look at it because it was a game in hand. I look at it as a game we should have won but didn’t.

“I don’t mean that I’m saying that before the game, because Cheltenham can set up to make it difficult for you and I respect every opposition.

“But with the game I just watched, that’s a game we should win.

“That’s my frustration.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD