Post-match reaction after Plymouth
Neal Ardley saluted goalkeeper James Shea after his heroics helped defy promotion chasers Plymouth on their own patch.
Though the Dons created plenty of chances themselves, Shea was required to make several top drawer saves to keep his side in it.
Speaking during an interview with Rob Cornell for Dons Player, Neal Ardley said: “We defended our box honestly at times, even though our decision making was poor. We have an exceptional goalkeeper, who makes very good saves and good decisions. That got us through sticky spells and kept us in the game. James is very good and we are lucky to have him here long term.
“The goal we conceded from a set-piece was very disappointing. One player got caught ball watching at the near post and it is a tap in at the back post. That was very frustrating. It took us six hours to get down here and it will be another four and a half hours to get back. We didn’t want to lose this game to a set-piece.”
Neal was happy with Wimbledon’s fighting spirt against a Plymouth team still in with a chance of going up, but certain aspects of his side’s performance frustrated him.
“We showed a lot of naivety in our performance,” added Neal. “Plymouth had free-kicks from deep in the second half and players walked into the box unmarked and they stayed unmarked. We were screaming at our lads from the sidelines and trying to make sure that certain players picked the right players up from the opposition. They are moments that cost you if you get them wrong.
“We like our players to attack, but we had situations late on when we got down the line to get crosses in and we had four or five players attacking the box and they never won it. You end up screaming at one or two because as soon as they get first contact they are bang on the attack again.
“Both teams were trying to win the game. We showed a lot of character against a very good team with great home form. I was delighted for Ade Azeez. He got himself into the position for a tap-in and he was there to score it, which will give him a lot of confidence. Craig Tanner is such a good player and he brought his quality into the team after he came on.”
The full video interview with Neal Ardley will feature on Dons Player later on today.