Johnnie Jackson ‘so proud’ of AFC Wimbledon side after securing play-off spot in 1-0 win at Grimsby

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson expressed his pride in his side after they secured a League Two play-off place following a 1-0 win over Grimsby on Saturday.

A 52nd-minute strike from Sam Hutchinson gave the Dons all three points and a fifth-placed finish.

Jackson has taken the South Londoners to the play-offs in his third season in charge at Plough Lane.

They will take on Notts County across two legs for a place at Wembley in a final shootout for a spot in League One.

“So proud of them,” said Jackson.

“Not with what they have done today but what they have done throughout the season.

“They have absolutely given everything for the club. They’re a great bunch of lads that are a joy to work with.

“I’m so pleased for them. It’s just the start – we need to go and finish the job off. That will be our focus now.

“But coming here under massive pressure today against a direct rival that can leapfrog you, to produce what they did today, I’m so proud of them.

“To finish fifth is really good. We all would have loved to have been in that top three, but if you look at where we are as a football club and how far we have come, everyone would have accepted that fifth is a massive overachievement compared to our rivals.

“Hopefully there are three more games to go. The boys should be really pleased with themselves.

“They deserve the opportunity to go and attack the play-offs.”

PICTURE: ALAMY