Wally Downes: I’ve got no issue with Joe Pigott’s penalty misses
Joe Pigott was backed by his manager Wally Downes after the AFC striker missed two penalties in their League Cup defeat to Milton Keynes last night.
Wimbledon were trailing 2-1 in the second-half when Pigott had the chance to level the tie, but his tame effort was comfortable for Lee Nicholls to keep out in the visiting goal.
The Dons struck late on via Luke O’Neill to force a penalty shoot-out.
Pigott stepped up again only to lash his effort over the bar as Milton Keynes sealed a 4-2 win in the shoot-out.
“Yeah, I’ve got no problem with Pigs missing a couple of penalties,” said Downes in the aftermath.
“He’s a top striker, one of the best strikers in this division and can comfortably play above this division. I’m not worried at all about him missing a couple of penalties, it’s no big deal to me whatsoever.
“He leads the line really well. He gets me goals. I couldn’t care less if he misses a couple of penalties. I’m gutted we lost the game, obviously, but it has no bearing on my thought about Pigs as a player.”
Downes was full of praise for the scorers of the Dons goals – Scott Wagstaff and Luke O’Neill.
“Yeah [the goals were] terrific,” said the Dons chief. “Scotty Wagstaff has got an eye for goal – he’s stuck that away well. Luke is technically very good, and the chance dropped to the right man there.”
PICTURE BY PAUL EDWARDS