AFC Wimbledon Under-18s did everything but score in a slender defeat against Peterborough United on Saturday.
A 1-0 loss came after Elliott Bolton (pictured with manager Rob Tuvey) had an effort cleared off the line and Wimbledon also had two goals ruled out by the officials.
Wimbledon got off to a positive start, hitting the hosts on the counter-attack numerous times, but just lacking that composed end product. However, the young Dons paid the price for a failure to defend set pieces - something that had cost them in recent weeks - when Peterborough scored with a goal created from a corner. It appeared that Wimbledon had conjured up a quick response through David Fisher two minutes later, but his close-range effort was ruled out for offside.
Though the hosts did well to soak up initial Dons pressure at the start of the second-half, chances started to come Wimbledon's way. Elliot Bolton, who had been lively all game, saw his poked close-range effort blocked off the line and then moments later his headed effort flashed inches wide of the post. Dylan Adjei-Hersey then went close, but he saw his effort rattle the crossbar. Despite being a going a goal down, the second-half was all Wimbledon and the opponents had failed to register a shot.
Wimbledon threw everything at the hosts in the latter stages. James Golding had a lobbed effort saved on the line, before the Peterborough keeper held onto the ball for too long and an indirect free kick was given inside the box. Huseyin Biler then netted in the 93rd minute, but the effort was ruled out for a decision that was unclear, condemning Wimbledon to a defeat that was harsh on the balance of play.