Blackpool 1 AFC Wimbledon 1 – Ollie Palmer flicks in injury-time leveller

BY DAVE HUNT-JACKSON

AFC Wimbledon repeated their heroics of four days earlier with an even later leveller as substitute Ollie Palmer’s flick in injury time earned them another point at a traditionally difficult venue for them with a 1-1 draw at Bloomfield Road.

Mark Robinson made two changes to the side that drew with Shrewsbury – Jack Rudoni and Luke O’Neill replaced Callum Reilly and Ben Heneghan.

It was a lively and fiercely contested opening half with both sides looking to stamp their control on proceedings and Wimbledon giving at least as good as they got.

Jack Rudoni came closest to breaking the deadlock before a trip by Ryan Longman should have handed the Tangerines a penalty but the offence was somewhat surprisingly adjudged to have taken place outside the area.

As Blackpool started to turn the screw Sam Walker was twice pressed into action to save from Demetri Mitchell and then from Ellis Simms.

Blackpool came out all guns blazing in the second half and Wimbledon had been defending for their lives when just before the hour mark Ellis Simms’ deflected shot gave them a deserved lead.

With half an hour to find an equaliser the Dons, despite increasing pressure on an increasingly desperate looking home defence, left it very late but will be delighted to come away with a share of the spoils.

PHOTOS: SEAN GOSLING