‘Our finest win’ – Johnnie Jackson hails AFC Wimbledon’s 2-0 victory over League Two leaders Leyton Orient

Johnnie Jackson hailed Tuesday night’s 2-0 victory over League Two leaders Leyton Orient as his “finest win” since becoming AFC Wimbledon boss.

The Dons took the lead in the 19th minute through Ayoub Assal. Josh Davison played through the England U20 trainee, and his shot from the edge of the box deflected off Orient defender Tom James and past Lawrence Vigouroux.

Jackson’s side doubled their lead when Harry Pell hit a first-time shot into the top left-hand corner in the 35th minute.

The visitors had nearly 70 per cent possession in the second half and had a goal ruled out in the 82nd minute, but the Dons held on to secure all three points.

Jackson’s side are unbeaten in six games in all competitions and only six points off the play-offs.

“I enjoy all the wins, but the nature of the win – the performance, the opposition and the home crowd under the lights – that’s probably our finest win so far under me,” said Jackson.

“I felt the performance coming. We went into the game five unbeaten, so we have got a little bit of momentum about us. 

“It’s been building gradually and it’s taken a while. We have had a lot of injuries, and the season has been a bit stop-start. Before now, we haven’t really been able to get too much of a fixed team and continuity.

“We have managed to do that – give or take one or two bodies in the last game – and you can see as a team that we’re starting to gel.

“It’s a really good group and I love working with them. We all admit that up until now, we have all underachieved, but there have been a lot of reasons behind that.”

When asked whether the squad had to use the result to build on their season, Jackson said: “Of course. It can’t just be that you’re playing against the league leaders and you’re at home in a London derby that you bring that level of performance.

“We have to try and bring that every week. There will be games where you dip off, but that has to be our standard now because we’re capable of it.”