‘Some people are delusional’ – Dons boss Robinson will ‘take the positives’ from 2-0 defeat to Lincoln

Mark Robinson said that he is “going to take the positives” from AFC Wimbledon’s 2-0 loss at home to Lincoln City.

The Imps opened the scoring in the 38th minute when Lewis Fiorini picked up the ball on the edge of the box, was afforded time and space, and placed an effort out of Nik Tzanev’s reach.

Wimbledon went close to finding an immediate second-half equaliser with Zach Robinson flashing two efforts wide of Jordan Wright’s goal.

The Dons gained a man advantage in the 66th minute when Brooke Norton-Cuffy was sent off for an off the ball push on Lee Brown.

Jack Rudoni had the ball in the net in the 79th minute, but referee Carl Brook disallowed the goal and pulled play back for a Wimbledon free-kick just inside the Lincoln half.

The 10 men of Lincoln secured all three points when John Marquis closed down Nik Tzanev and rolled the ball along the face of the box for Teddy Bishop to score.

The Dons are now 19 games in all competitions without a win.

“Some people are delusional. Some people think that we’re a bigger club than Lincoln – they have got a player on the bench that I would absolutely love to be in our side,” said Robinson.

“This isn’t defending me, but there aren’t managers out there giving a 19-year-old his debut as a forward. We had two forwards, I lost both of them, and I thought that the performance, under the circumstances, was excellent.

“Zach Robinson has missed a couple of chances, but yet again, we have shown that we have got a bright, young academy lad. His performance was excellent – he led the line really well.

“I know there is going to be a load of noise, but I have got to believe in the performance and know that we have got 27 points to play for. I still maintain that we can get points.

“People will not want to hear me say that I have to take the positives, but what else am I going to do? I have to take the positives.

“We haven’t struggled, we have been the better side for the whole game, we have created chances, and we have to believe that we’re going to make it happen. I do believe that we will.

“The lads are crestfallen in there, but what can I say to them apart from [how they conceded] the second goal? That’s the only thing I can pinpoint.

“The first goal was a great finish, and we have given them the second goal. We have got to address that.

“I can’t cloud over anything. I have to recognise the things that need to be better, but I am looking today and saying: ‘Well, there isn’t a lot wrong.’

“Apart from putting the ball in the back of the net and giving them a goal, there is a lot right, and we have to kick on and make it happen.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD