Dons beat League One Pompey in penultimate pre-season test

A heavily-rotated AFC Wimbledon side beat Portsmouth 1-0 at Plough Lane on Tuesday evening.

The Dons took the lead in the 26th minute when Ali Al-Hamadi skipped past former Dons loanee Ryley Towler and sent a cross into the penalty box, which deflected off a Portsmouth player and beyond Will Norris. 

Armani Little – playing his first game of pre-season after joining from Forest Green on a permanent deal – then went close in the 37th minute when he struck a shot from the edge of the box that sliced just beyond Norris’ post.

Al-Hamadi and Aaron Sasu both tested Norris before half-time.

Trialst Jean Belehouan was forced off early in the second half and replaced by Joe Lewis.

Nik Tzanev then did well to keep his clean sheet intact when he got down well to deny Tom Lowery from distance.

Lowery went close again in the 72nd minute when he flicked a cross into the arms of Tzanev.

Lee Brown produced a great block in the 83rd minute to stop Portsmouth equalising after a cross to the back post.

Wimbledon’s final pre-season test comes this Saturday against Wealdstone.

Wimbledon starting line-up: Tzanev, Belehouan, Sutcliffe, Pearce, Brown, Sasu, Bendle, Little, McLean, Al-Hamadi, Pell.

PICTURES: LUCY DIXON