Joe Pigott has earned reward for his prolific form during April by picking up the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month award.
Pigott’s immense contribution led to Wimbledon climbing out of the relegation zone for the first time since the autumn.
He led the line with passion and scored five of his side’s six goals in the month.
AFC Wimbledon manager Wally Downes said: “Joe’s contribution during the past month has been fantastic, he’s led the line superbly well, and the way he has blended with James Hanson has been really pleasing.
“His all-round game is coming on superbly. When you have a hard-working team, it starts from the front. Everybody can see the two forwards and if they are working hard it’s an incentive for everybody else.
“Joe and James have done great for us up front, but Joe has been the one who has got the goals so I can understand why he has got the accolade.”
Joe said: “It’s an amazing achievement to get this award, but it’s testament to how well that we’ve done as a team recently. I’m just happy to contribute as we try to pull off a Great Escape, but we need to get over the line on Saturday.
“I think the form I’ve shown since January is something I want to produce more of in the future. I’ve always known that I can score goals, but it’s about doing the rest of the bits and pieces that are vital to the team.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “When you’re struggling at the bottom of the league, you’re looking for a hero, someone in the changing room who is going to step up and be counted.
“In April, Joe Pigott answered that call for AFC Wimbledon, winning five points for his team with his goals and putting them in with a fighting chance of survival going into the final weekend. What an incredible effort that would be should they succeed.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Wimbledon looked down and out at the end of March but thanks to an unbeaten run and five goals in six games in April from Joe Pigott, The Dons have climbed out of the relegation places and now remarkably look like staying up.
“They still have a fight on their hands on the final day. Amazingly, they were as short as 1/16 a couple of months ago for the drop.”