AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson: My side proved they are a match for anyone in the division

BY MITCHELL HALL

Johnnie Jackson heaped praise on his players and staff after overseeing Wimbledon’s 1-0 victory over Doncaster from the Plough Lane stands as he served a touchline ban for his actions in their recent game against Newport County.

A chaotic opening half-hour was capped off with a headed goal from Dons striker and League Two top scorer Matty Stevens. Promotion hopefuls Doncaster piled on the pressure for the rest of the game, but there was just no way through Jackson’s back three.

Both teams fired warning shots early in the game, with Wimbledon’s James Tilley and Rovers’ Luke Molyneux both pulling shots narrowly wide of goal, and Joseph Olowu denied Stevens with a fantastic sliding block.

They could not keep the in-form striker out for long however, as Josh Kelly leapt on to a loose pass from Doncaster’s George Broadbent and swung in a tempting cross, which Stevens guided into the top left corner with his head in the 27th minute.

Doncaster could not turn relentless pressure in the second half into chances and slumped to their first loss in seven games as the Dons went fourth in the League Two standings, ahead of the visitors on goal difference.

“Great win, it was hard-fought and really competitive,” said Wimbledon manager Jackson. “I knew it would be tight as they’re a good team, and we had to dig in and find something from within tonight.

“All the front three were really powerful today but Matty’s getting the goals. He’s being in the right positions and he’s finishing well when he gets the opportunities. He’s on fire at the minute, but the other two attackers were just as good, and probably without the plaudits.

“After going in front we locked them out, we limited them. They had some possession and some territory but I can’t remember Goodman having to make a real save, which was a testament to the lads out there and the shape of the team.

“Today’s a marker of where we’re at. Considering we’re decimated with injuries, to put in the performances that we are, there’s plenty of resilience here. On our day we’re a match for anyone in the division and we showed that today.

Watching on from the stands was an unusual experience for the man whose job it is to be in control of everything on the pitch, but one that literally provided Jackson with a new perspective on his side’s performances.

Jackson said: “I was right at the top, so you get a better view of the game and you can see more of what’s going on tactically, but you feel a bit more detached and unable to affect the game.

“Maybe being a little bit detached emotionally helps, and the reason I am up there is I got a bit too involved emotionally last week and I got my red card, so maybe there’s a lesson to be learned there.”

“I was communicating with my staff throughout the game, who did a great job today, they have done really well.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD