Post-match reaction from Neal Ardley
Neal Ardley admitted Wimbledon are fortunate to still be in the FA Cup after Charlie Strutton’s late equaliser rescued the Dons at Bootham Crescent.
Speaking to Dons Player, Neal said: “The only positive I can take from it is that we are still in the competition. We were poor today, but at least we gave the fans something to sing about in the end. We have smiles on our faces in a way because we are still in. At least we did not fold after going behind, we hung in there, and maybe in the past we may have lost by two or three. Seb made a few vital saves to keep us in it. We cannot afford to play like that again.”
Strutton’s first Wimbledon goal earned the Dons a replay, but Neal revealed that the striker only just made the match yesterday as he nearly missed the train from Kings Cross.
“Charlie owed us that because he was late for the train yesterday,” Neal added. “He came on and done well and was very lively though. We decided to chuck two up front and be braver and that paid off in the end. This was always going to be a tough week for us and now we have added to it, but I would sooner have a replay than be out.
“We made five changes, but some of them were enforced with players having niggles and to freshen it up. We got through it in the end, but we were poor on the day.”
Dons Player subscribers can view the full video interview with Neal Ardley later this weekend, along with the thoughts of Charlie Strutton on his first Wimbledon goal.