AFC Wimbledon secured an opening day point against Grimsby Town with Alex Bass’s saves helping to earn a 0-0 draw.

The on-loan goalkeeper was one of several new signings that were handed their debuts for the Dons on Saturday – and he marked it well with a catalogue of full stretch saves to keep the hosts at bay. 

And it was Wimbledon who could’ve walked away with more for their efforts, with Ali Al-Hamadi seeing a penalty kick well saved after coming so close to making an instant impact.

Armani Little also produced an eye-catching display in the centre of the park as our new look side continue to gel.

A clean sheet is not to be sniffed at on the opening day and we will now be aiming to build on this result for the visit of Coventry City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

New signings Bass, Jake Reeves, Ryan Johnson, James Tilley, Josh Neufville, Little, Omar Bugiel and Joe Lewis all featured from the start.

Meanwhile, another new addition - James Ball - was named on a substitutes’ bench which also included Nik Tzanev, Harry Pell, Ali Al-Hamadi, Ethan Sutcliffe, Morgan Williams and Aron Sasu.

A quiet opening quarter came and went with the Dons seeing several deliveries passing through the area as we failed to apply the finishing touch. Our hosts also offered little in an attacking sense with Anthony Glennon’s soft effort being easily scooped up by Bass.

Little was pulling the strings well alongside Reeves in the centre and very nearly created an opening for Bugiel, with our striker only just being crowded out as he moved into the area. Johnson then came even closer as he headed a corner wide of the back post.

Tilley offered a good outlet coming in off the right and almost found his scoring touch as he fired wide of the target after driving across the box.

It was the men in yellow and blue who started the stronger of the two sides as Neufville’s header cleared the crossbar. Harry Clifton then arrowed a volley wide of Bass’s right-hand post in response. Bass was then called into action as he strongly kept out Harvey Rodgers’ long range effort.

Wimbledon then had a golden opportunity to take the lead as substitute Al-Hamadi was felled in the area following a strong run. Our number 10 stepped up to take the penalty but saw his effort well matched by Jake Eastwood, who tipped the ball wide.

Bass continued to impress, with our keeper tipping Abo Eisa’s low effort just wide when he looked beaten. The shot-stopper was at it again soon after – saving Kamil Conteh’s swirling drive.

Al-Hamadi’s strong approach play continued as he created an opening for Tilley to fire off target as we continued to pose a threat on the counter. Little continued to catch the eye, sweeping up situations when Grimsby broke between the lines on the odd occasion.

In the end, both sides cancelled each other out in the closing stages of a game that could’ve gone either way.

AFC Wimbledon: Alex Bass, Jake Reeves, Ryan Johnson, James Tilley, Josh Davison (Ali Al-Hamadi), Josh Neufville, Armani Little, Alex Pearce, Omar Bugiel (Harry Pell), Joe Lewis, Isaac Ogundere

Attendance: 7,214 (494 away)

PICS: Simon Davies (Pro Sports Images)