AFC Wimbledon blew a lead late on again as two stoppage time goals saw Salford City emerge with a 3-2 win.

For the best part of 85 minutes the Dons had more than matched the play-off chasing Ammies, with goals from Kasey McAteer and Ali Al-Hamadi having seemingly cancelled out Conor McAleny’s finish.

However in a sequence of events that was barely believable, it was the away side who took the three points. First Nathan Broome denied Callum Hendry from the penalty spot, before the Salford striker then went from hero to villain as he scored a late double in the space of two added time minutes.

It summed up an Easter to forget for Wimbledon as we once again saw victory snatched from our hands at the death.

Johnnie Jackson made two changes to the side which drew 2-2 against Harrogate Town, with McAteer and Jack Currie coming in for Ethan Chislett and Lee Brown. Meanwhile Dylan Adjei-Hersey was named on the bench.

As seen on Good Friday it was Wimbledon who started the stronger out of the two teams, with our bright play earning an early breakthrough. The ball found it’s way to McAteer who cracked home a controlled volley that flew past the outstretched arm of Salford’s Alex Cairns.

With our tails up, further chances began to develop, with Armani Little showing great skill to fire in a shot at the visiting keeper. Up the other end Matthew Lund fired just wide following a low cross. Al-Hamadi then had an even better chance as he ran clean through and saw his effort well matched by Cairns.

Will Nightingale and Aaron Pierre formed a strong partnership at the heart of our defence, with both sliding in when it mattered most with last ditch challenges to ensure we headed in a goal ahead at the break.

Our number five almost got the second-half off to a flying start too as he picked up the ball in centre field before arrowing an effort from distance just wide of the upright.

The Ammies were next to hit the back of the net however as McAleny capitalised on a miscommunication between Broome and substitute Luke Jenkins to flick home.

Nevertheless there was an almost instant response as the Dons retook the lead. A loose ball found its way to Diallang Jaiyesimi on the left, our winger composed himself before picking out Al-Hamadi in the area, with our Iraqi international volleying home.

We then came agonisingly close to a third as McAteer somehow missed the target after being set through by Jaiyesimi’s backheel.

Salford were awarded a penalty as Broome was adjudged to have fouled Louie Barry in the penalty area – nevertheless our confident shot stopper picked himself up to superbly keep out Hendry’s spotkick.

However it was Hendry who would have the last laugh as he first bundled home a late equaliser at the back post before then finishing into the centre of the goal for a late winner barely a minute later.

AFC Wimbledon: Nathan Broome, Alex Woodyard, Will Nightingale, Diallang Jaiyesimi (Dylan Adjei-Hersey), Ali Al-Hamadi, Aaron Pierre (Luke Jenkins), Armani Little, Kasey McAteer, Jack Currie, Sam Pearson, Isaac Ogundere

Attendance: 7,239 (200 away)

PICS: Ian Stephen (Pro Sports Images)