AFC Wimbledon paid the price for not killing off Hartlepool United as the two sides played out a 2-2 draw on Saturday afternoon.
First goals from January signings Ali Al-Hamadi and Diallang Jaiyesimi saw us storm into a 2-0 lead, however the deficit was halved as Dan Kemp crashed home a stunning free-kick.
It was then Kemp who would strike again deep into added on time, with his header earning the visitors an unlikely point.
Ultimately our game management cost us in the closing stages as we lost two important points in the race for the Sky Bet League Two play-off places.
Johnnie Jackson made two changes to the side which drew against Northampton Town as Lee Brown and Jaiyesimi came in for Jack Currie and Saikou Janneh. Meanwhile Sam Pearson replaced George Marsh on the bench.
The visitors almost took the lead in spectacular style as Connor Jennings attempted an audacious 30-yard lob that narrowly cleared Nik Tzanev’s crossbar.
Al-Hamadi and Jaiyesimi then combined well, with the latter crossing for Josh Davison to head just wide. Armani Little then had a good effort palmed wide by Jakub Stolarczyk.
The increasing pressure eventually told as Brown’s flighted cross was headed home by Al-Hamadi into the far corner.
Moving into the second period and it was more of the same as we doubled our lead. This time Ethan Chislett was the creator as he tip-toed his way towards the box, with his shot being palmed into the path of the waiting Jaiyesimi, who gleefully fired home.
However Hartlepool got themselves back into the contest, with Kemp firing home a free-kick from distance that left Tzanev with no chance. Substitute Harry Pell almost had an instant impact as he fired wide with his first touch of the ball.
Deep into stoppage time disaster struck as Kemp headed home an equaliser at the back post as the Pools stole a point at the death, leaving the Dons stunned.
AFC Wimbledon: Nik Tzanev, Chris Gunter, Lee Brown, Alex Woodyard, Josh Davison, Diallang Jaiyesimi (Sam Pearson), Ethan Chislett (Kasey McAteer), Ali Al-Hamadi (Harry Pell), Alex Pearce (Aaron Pierre), Armani Little, Paul Kalambayi
PIC: Ian Stephen (Pro Sports Images)
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