Dave Hunt-Jackson’s big-match verdict on Crewe 1 Dons 1 – Signs that 4-4-2 could be the way forward for Glyn Hodges

AFC Wimbledon grabbed a first point of the year with a thoroughly-deserved 1-1 draw at Crewe – and with a better referee and a shade more luck it would surely have been all three.

Glyn Hodges named a strong line up with George Dobson, signed on loan from Sunderland on Friday, among the substitutes.

Having failed to score in their previous two league fixtures the Dons must have been as stunned as their opponents when Joe Pigott outjumped the Crewe defence to head home Cheye Alexander’s second minute cross.

Given Wimbledon’s unenviable record for dropping points from winning positions, many would have felt that Pigott had netted at least 88 minutes too early as the visitors injury-ravaged defence looked to keep what would have been a very rare clean sheet.

Of course it was not to be, but the equaliser owed a lot to luck. Veteran Billy Jones’ mishit cross rebounded off Sam Walker’s post and to the feet of Oliver Finney, who couldn’t miss.

Hodges will have been impressed with the response to that setback with Alexander smashing a shot against the bar as they pressed for a second goal.

When half-time substitute Paul Kalambayi was barged into the advertising boards Hodges was forced to change both personnel and formation with Dobson joining a four-man midfield.

Many Wimbledon fans have wondered why, given the alarming goals against count, the manager hasn’t switched to a 4-4-2 formation before. And when Alexander and Nesta Guinness-Walker reverted to full-backs the visitors looked much more solid at the back and by far the likelier side to grab a winner.

Indeed had referee Kevin Johnson not inexplicably waved away penalty claims when Guinness-Walker was shoved over in the box they may well have got the win they deserved.

Dobson, who sat in front of the back four, was busy and looked assured when in possession. He also had a couple of moments going forward that gives much cause for optimism that he might provide am extra dimension in the relegation battle the Dons find themselves in. That said it is not clear what he offers that a fit again Jaakko Oksanen doesn’t.

If Kalambayi is unable to take part at Doncaster on Tuesday it will be interesting to see whether Hodges – with just three fit centre-backs if you include Luke O’Neill, decides to stick with his preferred 3-5-2 set up or whether he uses the opportunity to have a look at his charges in the formation that finished against Crewe.

Wimbledon are just a place above the League One drop zone and have played more games than some of their pursuers, so they will be desperate to break their duck for the year and earn a much-needed win.

Star Man
Ryan Longman. On a heavy pitch the Brighton loanee never stopped running and was a real thorn in the side of Crewe’s defence.

Best Moment
Cheye Alexander coming so close to a second with a rasping angled drive that beat Dave Richards but was just an inch too high.

PICTURES: SEAN GOSLING