Freefalling Dons do little to inspire confidence of escaping the drop after winless run stretches to 17 matches

BY EDMUND BRACK

For all of AFC Wimbledon’s early endeavour – a 15-minute spell that looked like a side who had put their recent run behind them – they had reverted back to a side bereft of confidence and without a win in 16 games by the 25th minute at Home Park.

The Dons’ bright start was full of energy, intense pressure and forward-thinking movement.

It was nearly rewarded in the seventh minute but the unmarked Sam Cosgrove, who had a clear sight of the ball, agonisingly headed Lee Brown’s accurate cross against Michael Cooper’s post.

As the Birmingham loanee was still coming to terms with how he planted his chance against the framework, former Dons striker Ollie Palmer scored his sixth goal of the season for National League Wrexham.

The January sale of Palmer, who was on course to finish as the club’s top goalscorer before he was allowed to leave, could come back and cost Wimbledon more than the £300,000 they made from Wrexham.

If the Welsh club win promotion, a meeting with the Dons could even be on the fixture list next season.

Wimbledon eventually faded away on Tuesday and allowed play-off-chasing and determined Plymouth to take control. Argyle landed on second balls quicker, fired crosses towards the box and cut their way through the press.

Momentum swung firmly in the hosts’ favour after Brown flashed an effort over the bar in the 16th minute – Ayoub Assal had carried the ball towards the Plymouth final third.

After a flurry of chances for Steven Schumacher’s side, they took the lead in the 28th minute.

Allowed to build play just inside the Wimbledon half, Plymouth played the ball around and waited for an opening. Danny Mayor eventually found a gap and slid a pass around Dan Csoka for Ryan Hardie to latch on to and slot underneath Nik Tzanev.

It felt depressingly familiar and, like clockwork, shoulders eventually dropped. Plymouth asserted even more dominance on the game.

The Wimbledon side of old under head coach Mark Robinson were never willing to accept defeat and had enough self-assurance to take the game to the opposition no matter what their league position.

But now confidence immediately drains if they fall behind and nervous tendencies overpower their performance.

Robinson took attacking midfielder Jack Rudoni off for defender Paul Kalambayi as he looked to change shape and spark a glimmer of attacking initiative up front. But there was little to draw encouragement from in their second half performance.

Plymouth exposed Wimbledon with an aimless clearance away from their own half, which led to the home side doubling their advantage.

Macaulay Gillesphey intercepted Anthony Hartigan’s hopeful ball towards Luke McCormick, and the onrushing Niall Ennis played a cross along the face of the box for Ryan Broom to sweep a 61st minute shot past Tzanev.

There was a lack of bravery in Wimbledon’s passing and movement.

And for a side who find themselves 17 league games without a win – 18 if you include the FA Cup defeat to Boreham Wood – also an alarming absence of fight.

Assal was the only Wimbledon forward who appeared interested in taking the game to Plymouth but was met with little support from Terry Ablade or Cosgrove. The 20-year-old struck the post with the last kick of the game, but he could not get a consolation for his efforts.

There is no hiding from the fact that AFC Wimbledon are freefalling into relegation and have to find a way of rekindling the spirit of past seasons to ensure they remain in the third tier.

It is crucial not to underestimate the two upcoming games – a home clash against 18th placed Lincoln City tomorrow followed by a trip to take on a mid-table Cheltenham side – if AFC Wimbledon want to be a League One outfit come next season.

STAR MAN
Ayoub Assal. He showed he cared and wants to be a League One player next season

BEST MOMENT
The first 15 minutes. Cosgrove should have scored, and Brown went close.

PICTURES: LUCY DIXON