Ethan Chislett making himself integral to AFC Wimbledon as match-winning finish impresses boss Johnnie Jackson

Johnnie Jackson has hailed Ethan Chislett as a key part of his AFC Wimbledon side and was delighted with the way he converted to seal a 1-0 win over Grimsby Town today.

Chislett broke the deadlock in the 60th minute. He met Harry Pell’s header in front of goal and reacted quickest to bundle the ball past Max Crocombe.

The 24-year-old South African, who joined the Dons in 2020 under Glyn Hodges, has scored seven goals in all competitions this season.

He has featured 26 times already this season under Jackson.

Chislett’s goal helped the Dons moved four points of the League Two play-off places.

“We know how important he is to our team – he gets picked most weeks,” said Jackson. “He is integral to what we’re doing at the minute. He’s enjoying the role, and he’s relishing playing in that position.

“He loves scoring goals and he’s getting in good positions every game. Whether he gets plaudits from outside or not, in the building, we know how important he is to us. He’s having a good run.

“He’s enjoying the position that we have given him – it gives him that freedom and that license to get forward into the box.

“I was particularly pleased with his goal today. It was a bit more of a striker’s finish – a poacher’s goal. He tends to get cleaner ones with the free kicks. He’s scoring different types of goals, which is nice.”

Jackson gave the players the start of the week off following the defeat to Chesterfield in the FA Cup, with the Dons having played 11 games in 35 days.

“My group needed a little break,” added Jackson. “The schedule that we had was really tough – lots of travel and games.

“I just felt that it was right in the early part of the week to come off the boys. I knew I would get a reaction from it.

“They’re an honest bunch of lads – they don’t push their luck. If you look after them, they give you everything back. And that’s what they have done today.”