Terry Skiverton: Johnnie Jackson was ecstatic with Wimbledon’s win at Crawley
AFC Wimbledon assistant manager Terry Skiverton labelled his side’s 2-1 away win at Crawley Town on Friday night as “magnificent” after Johnnie Jackson and Joe Lewis were both issued with red cards during the match.
The Dons took the lead early on when Josh Davison met Huseyin Biler’s cross into the penalty box and headed beyond Crawley keeper Luca Ashby-Hammond, who would have been disappointed to have conceded the effort.
Ali Al-Hamadi then got his name on the scoresheet for his 14th of the season in all competitions when he cut onto his left foot just outside of the area and drilled an effort into the bottom corner.
The Iraqi international had the ball in the net again just before half-time – heading a corner beyond the Crawley keeper – but referee Matt Corlett ruled that Davison had fouled Ashby Hammond, which saw Dons boss Jackson issued with a red card.
Joe Lewis was handed his marching orders – and will miss the Boxing Day clash at home to Sutton – in the 65th minute for a second yellow card offence.
Despite Will Wright firing past Alex Bass with seven minutes of normal time remaining, the Sunderland loanee pulled off a string of top saves towards the end as the Dons recorded their first League Two away win since early October.
“Everything that we were trying to do was against us,” Skiverton told Wimbledon’s YouTube channel.
“But the supporters behind the goal were magnificent and I can’t wait to see the data from the lads – it will be through the roof.
“To a man, it was magnificent. We stood up to everybody tonight. We saw the game out and we needed that goalkeeper with a calm head, and Bass pulled off maybe three or four magnificent saves – world class I would say.
“The players got to celebrate with the fans. They took the roof off tonight – it was like playing at home.
“It’s galvanised us. Sometimes things can go against you and you can fold under the pressure, but our lads drove forward.
“I’m really happy for the lads.
“The gaffer was ecstatic after. He said that kind of character and spirit is what being a true Don is all about – we really felt that as a team tonight.”
PICTURE: LUCY DIXON