Dons boss reflects on ‘frustrating’ Barrow loss and reveals what new signing Pell said after full time

AFC Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson was frustrated that his side failed to take their chances as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Barrow.

Barrow took the early lead at Plough Lane in the 10th minute after Josh Gordon met Benjamin Whitfield’s cross just in front of Nik Tzanev’s goal.

Jackson made a double change to try and get back into the game when he brought on Ayoub Assal and debutant Harry Pell for his first Wimbledon appearance following his move from Accrington Stanley in midweek.

Ayoub Assal had the ball in the back of the net for the Dons when he turned home Chris Gunter’s cross in the 64th minute. However, referee John Busby ruled the goal out for offside.

Pell went close to finding the equaliser in the 66th minute but planted Nathan Young-Coombes’ cross agonisingly wide of Paul Farman’s goal.

The Dons failed to find the elusive equaliser despite having more shots and the majority of possession.

“We have had a couple of opportunities there where you say: ‘You have to score,” said Jackson.

“Harry Pell [went close] with a header. Ayoub has it in the net, which I’m not sure was offside.

“We should have tested the goalkeeper more, but we have also had some opportunities there where I think: ‘We have to score.’

“We created but just didn’t put [together] the finishing touches – it’s frustrating.

“I didn’t think we moved the ball quick enough – that’s what we work and are built on.

“With the way that we want to play, you have to be patient with the ball, but you have to move it quickly – that’s how you create those openings and make those gaps.

“I thought we did that a lot better in the second half, and that’s how we created our openings.”

Jackson handed Pell, who had a spell with the Dons from 2013 to 2015, his second AFC Wimbledon debut when he replaced George Marsh in the 57th minute.

Pell nearly scored the equaliser when he arrived late into the penalty area and headed Nathan Young-Coombes’ cross inches wide of Paul Farman’s goal.

“He makes good runs into the box – he’s a great size and brings you energy in the press. He makes good forward runs, and he has got an eye for a goal,” said Jackson of what he expects Pell to bring to the side.

“Harry said in there [the dressing room] that he was disappointed himself that he hasn’t scored that chance.

“That situation, where he makes that late run into the box and has a header, is exactly why we brought him in to add that to our midfield.

“It’s his first game – he’s not had many minutes. It’s great to get him involved, and I think you have seen enough there to know he is going to contribute goals.”

MAIN PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD

ASSAL PICTURE: LUCY DIXON