Sickness a factor in Dons’ EFL Trophy exit

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson admitted he could not select his strongest squad possible for Wednesday’s EFL Trophy exit to League One side Plymouth due to a sickness going around.

But the Dons boss was proud of the display his side produced against the Championship hopefuls.

The South Londoners were 3-0 up at half time after Huddersfield Town loanee Kyle Hudlin bagged a double and Ayoub Assal slotted home his 10th of the season with a finish from a tight angle.

But a second-half hat-trick from former Wimbledon forward Sam Cosgrove, who scored just one goal during his loan spell with the club last season, took the last 16 tie to penalties.

Assal and David Fisher both missed their penalties, with Bali Mumba scoring the winning spot kick for the League One side to book their place in the next stage of the competition and end AFC Wimbledon’s EFL Trophy run.

Speaking to the club’s media channel, Jackson said: “I’m really proud of the boys and the effort they put in.

“We have had sickness going around in the camp this week. I had to sent four lads home this afternoon because they went down overnight – we were on our last legs in terms of our energy.

“We tried to pick a team that would give us as much as we could from the off, and we saw that in the first half – we were magnificent.

“Unfortunately, we just couldn’t keep it up and it showed in the second half. The energy levels dropped. 

“The boys gave everything. We have come up against a really good team and we took them all the way.

“Once it goes to penalties, it’s a lottery. I’m disappointed we have gone out, but lots of positives to take as well.”