Mark Robinson praised our players for producing an impressive attacking performance and showing character in abundance at Morecambe today.
The Dons moved up to fourth in the League One table by coming from behind to earn a stunning victory in Lancashire with Ayoub Assal’s last-gasp strike securing a dramatic 4-3 win.
“I thought the first-half was the best that we’ve been, without a doubt,” said our Head Coach. “In the first 20 minutes we were unbelievable with the speed of our play, but we could have taken a couple more shots. We were excellent in the first-half. We didn’t actually start the second-half badly. They hit us on the break to score the equaliser, and they had 10 minutes when their heads were up, but we regrouped.
“I do feel that apart from that 10 minutes when they scored a goal that would grace any football match, we were outstanding in many ways. I’ve got to pick the bones out of it properly, but there was so much to be pleased about, especially when we conceded goals as we just went back at it. Even when we went 3-2 down we got the ball from kick-off, put 16 passes together, and almost scored a goal.
“I think we’ve shown character and belief in what we are doing. The players believe in themselves and in our style of play. If we keep doing the right things we will keep creating chances. We’ve got a free week now and we just need to look at these little areas where we concede, but what great entertainment!”
A total of 230 travelled up to Morecambe to cheer on the Dons, showing great support on the day, and Robbo was delighted to reward them with a victory.
“It’s a long journey and we were saying at half-time that we wanted to send them home happy. Football is about emotion, it’s about enjoying it now, but not getting too high, and getting back to work on Monday. If you can’t enjoy that, you can’t enjoy anything.”
On the quality of Assal’s winner and the fantastic form of Anthony Hartigan, who scored a superb goal himself, and claimed another assist, Robbo said: “It was a really great goal (by Ayoub). I am not happy about the cheap booking, and he has apologised straight away, but again, it’s just a release of emotion. It was a great goal and he was excellent, as was everyone – I don’t think we had bad player on the pitch.
“Andy (Parslow) has to take some credit for the set pieces. Ant also has to take massive credit because you can work on set pieces, talk about blocks and movement, but if the delivery is not there then it means nothing and his delivery is unbelievable. His performance, yet again, was fantastic.”
Pic credit: Paul Thompson, Pro Sports Images.