In our final Papa John’s Trophy group game, Portsmouth emerged with an extra point as they got the better of a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw.

It may have been an unfortunate end to the first stage of the competition for our side, but a young Wimbledon team more than matched their League One hosts for much of the regulation time.

The main highlight for us at Fratton Park was a brilliant individual goal from Ayoub Assal, whilst there were bright performances from captain on the night Isaac Ogundere, Huseyin Biler and the lively Aron Sasu, to name but a few.

Portsmouth's 3-1 penalty shoot-out win earned them two points on the night - one more than the Dons - but both sides progressed to the last-32 of the competition with Wimbledon as group winners.

We will now be aiming to continue our progress in the knockout stages later this season.

Johnnie Jackson made numerous changes to the side which dramatically defeated Harrogate Town 3-2 with only Assal and Paris Maghoma keeping their places in the starting eleven.

Meanwhile, youngsters Sasu and Morgan Williams were named on a bench that also featured Josh Davison, Alex Woodyard, Ryley Towler, Jack Currie and Nik Tzanev.

With the hosts needing at least a point in order to progress to the knockout stages, they understandably named an experienced side which quickly threatened in the opening quarter.

Luckily for the Dons Kyle Hudlin was on hand to head clear off the line as Pompey went close from an early corner. We wouldn’t get off so lightly the next time they came forward though as Ronan Curtis fired home after an initial shot had been blocked into his path.

Hudlin was then first to have an effort up the other end as he headed straight at Josh Oluwayemi. This appeared to spur Portsmouth into life who were then denied a second by Nathan Broome’s clever stop.

Biler provided a good outlet from an unfamiliar spot at left-back during the first-half, with our side getting most of their joy down the flanks at a wet and windy Fratton Park.  

Despite falling behind our side found a second wind after the break and quickly equalised. A clearance was mistimed on the far side, leading to Assal charging down the left, our number 10 worked himself some space before curling home a beauty into the top-right corner of the net.

We then came agonisingly close to taking the lead twice as Ogundere first saw his downward header hacked off the line from a corner before Hudlin arrowed a 30-yard shot just wide of the upright.

Sasu injected pace off the bench, with his run and low cross almost being finished off by fellow substitute Currie. The striker then came close to scoring himself as his long range effort almost crept in.

The 90 minutes of regulation time finished level, meaning the match headed to penalties. Kwaku Frimpong, Courtney Senior and Sasu sadly saw their spot kicks saved, with the hosts prevailing in the shoot-out 3-1.

AFC Wimbledon: Nathan Broome, Ayoub Assal (Jack Currie), Kyle Hudlin, Paris Maghoma (Alex Woodyard), Huseyin Biler, Alfie Bendle, Courtney Senior, Isaac Ogundere, Kwaku Frimpong, Luke Jenkins (Ryley Towler), Quaine Bartley (Aron Sasu)

PICS: Graham Hunt (Pro Sports Images)