AFC Wimbledon turn in their most impressive display in months as they show what side is capable of achieving

Tuesday presented the best chance to see where this AFC Wimbledon side really were after the change in formation and style of play introduced by Johnnie Jackson following the 1-0 defeat at home to Sutton United.

While the Dons were unbeaten in their previous three outings in League Two before taking on high-flying and top-of-the-table Leyton Orient, the wins had come against sides who surrounded them in the table.

But the first 45 minutes against Orient on Tuesday night showed what this new-look AFC Wimbledon side are capable of.

The visitors started brightly – showing why they had only lost one game in the division this season before visiting Plough Lane – and won three corners in the first 15 minutes from mazy runs through the heart of the Wimbledon defence.

But the Dons dealt with the pressure, with Jack Currie and Paris Maghoma throwing their bodies on the line to stop Arron Drinan and Theo Archibald from giving the away side the lead in quick succession.

The reward for their early defensive heroics came from their unapologetic new style of play – counter-attack with direct balls forward.

Harry Pell sent the ball towards Josh Davison, who had built up a head of steam and was charging at the Orient defence. The former Charlton man composed himself and found Assal on the edge of the box.

Although the Dons didn’t receive any late bids for the former England U20 trainee in the summer, his current form could see them hit with a barrage of interest this upcoming January.

Assal scored his fifth from his last six appearances in the 19th minute when his shot from just inside the area deflected off Tom James and looped over Lawrence Vigouroux.

It was Assal again who was the orchestrator of the second. Picking up the ball from inside the Orient half, he battled past Darren Pratley and Omar Beckles and drove towards goal.

After jinking one way and then the other, Assal’s shot ricocheted off Dan Happe and fell to the waiting Harry Pell.

If there was a master’s degree in the dark arts of football, Harry Pell would have written the course, but his finish on Tuesday evening was more than cultured – delicately placing the ball into the top-right-hand corner to double the Dons’ lead.

Orient had the best defence in the country prior to Tuesday evening – only conceding nine in the entire season – but despite the Dons breaching their goal twice, the most significant aspect of Wimbledon’s performance was their professional second half.

The Dons stayed resilient, frustrating Orient and seeing Richie Wellens throw on subs at will to try and change their fortunes.

Chris Gunter and Jack Currie made 10 challenges [five each] between them, nullifying Theo Archibald and Paul Smyth.

Alex Woodyard and Harry Pell suffocated Pratley and Idris El Mizouni.

And Paul Kalambayi and Ryley Towler cleared any danger thrown towards Nik Tzanev’s box.

The huge embrace between Jackson and his coaching staff at full-time said everything – it feels as though they have finally settled into the dugout at Plough Lane.

STAR MAN

Harry Pell. Goal, a role in the first, and won seven aerial battles.

BEST MOMENT

Full-time whistle. Arguably the best night at Plough Lane since fans returned.

PICTURE: LUCY DIXON