AFC Wimbledon endure few scares as they take maximum points away from Lincoln

BY DAVE HUNT-JACKSON

AFC Wimbledon returned to action after a fortnight’s break with a resolute performance to grab all three points as Aaron Pressley’s penalty was enough to seal victory at Lincoln’s LNER Stadium.

Wimbledon’s matches this season have seldom been dull and have featured blown leads and late comebacks both for and against the South Londoners.

Although one goal proved enough on this occasion Wimbledon were again guilty of failing to put their opponents to the sword in a game they dominated from start to finish.

It took them just five minutes to open their account when Conor McGrandles upended Luke McCormick in the Lincoln box after the midfielder had won possession in a dangerous area.

Pressley calmly slotted home his third penalty of the season.

As Lincoln looked to get back into the game Wimbledon continued to carry a threat of a second with Jack Rudoni firing narrowly wide of the far post before Anthony Hartigan went even closer from a free-kick in a central position.

Although the half was dominated by AFC Wimbledon, referee Paul Howard deserves an honourable mention for what might best be described as an eccentric performance which had the home supporters, in particular, incensed. He seemed to miss a penalty for a foul on Anthony Scully and a free-kick for a foul on McGrandles in a matter of seconds before a couple of curious bookings for Henry Lawrence and Anthony Hartigan.

The more the half wore on however the more chances the visitors squandered, with McCormick and Rudoni both culpable as Wimbledon went into the break unlucky not to be much further in front.

The second half was more of the same with Wimbledon dominating and Howard missing another penalty as substitute Ethan Chislett was clearly pushed over in the area.

With Pressley winning almost everything in the air and his team mates doing likewise on the floor Lincoln were never really allowed to get a foot in the game.

Although the 369 travelling supporters must have been nervous remembering the many blown leads in preceding matches, the Imps never looked like finding what would have been an undeserved equaliser.

With Nik Tzanev largely a spectator, a rare clean sheet and three very welcome points were comfortably secured ahead of a visit from promotion-chasing Wigan tomorrow.

STAR MAN
Alex Woodyard: Never stopped running and never gave his former club a moment’s peace.

BEST MOMENT
A cheeky backheel from Alex Woodyard after yet another timely tackle to snuff out a Lincoln attack.