Rochdale 0 AFC Wimbledon 1 – Ethan Chislett strikes late to seal victory for South Londoners
BY DAVE HUNT-JACKSON
AFC Wimbledon took full advantage of the additional replacements now allowed in the EFL as their first ever fourth substitute Ethan Chislett bagged a 92nd-minute winner at The Crown Oils Arena.
It was a well-deserved victory for an assured second-half dislay.
Although their hosts enjoyed more of the first-half possession and both sides looked to play attractive passing football neither could fashion a clear opportunity on goal.
The Dons had a let-off early in the second half as Ollie Rathbone capitalised in a mix up in the Wimbledon defence only to screw his shot just wide of the advancing Connal Trueman’s far post.
As the second half wore on neither side looked content to settle for a point and the Wimbledon strikeforce of Joe Pigott and Ryan Longman looked increasingly dangerous with Pigott forcing Jay Lynch to save at full stretch before Longman’s fabulous low cross just eluded a finishing touch from Jack Rudoni.
As the South Londoners pushed their hosts further and further back – and after Ollie Palmer had had what looked a perfectly good strike ruled out – Rudoni fed his fellow substitute who buried the ball in the bottom corner and gave AFC Wimbledon the perfect start to a hectic period of fixtures with the long trip to League Two Barrow for the delayed FA Cup first round match next on Thursday.
PHOTOS: SEAN GOSLING