Johnnie Jackson’s side were defeated at the death by Gillingham after we were made to pay for passing up several chances.
Wimbledon dominated for large spells of the Carabao Cup First Round tie and looked like the only team that would emerge as the victors, however it wasn’t to be in the end.
Late goals from Mikael Mandron and Jordan Green saw the Dons pay the ultimate price in and around stoppage time as our chances of remaining in the competition quickly evaporated.
All in all it was another performance that promised much at this early stage of the campaign, but when the chances presented themselves we just couldn’t find the all important touch.
Jackson rotated his squad ahead of this cup game, with the likes of Nathan Broome and Isaac Ogundere both coming in to make their first-team debuts, whilst there was also first starts for Nathan Young-Coombes and Kyle Hudlin.
Aaron Cosgrave and Quaine Bartley were named on what was an extremely attacking bench.
There was an early scare for Wimbledon as Lewis Walker was sent in behind the backline, but the Gillingham man could only strike his effort wide with only Broome to beat.
The Dons’ shot-stopper certainly impressed with his distribution in the opening stages, helping the defence to progress the ball into midfield quickly.
Will Nightingale was first to test Jake Turner in the Gillingham goal as his powerful drive was palmed into a dangerous area as our side began to turn the screw.
Hudlin then went close to opening his Dons’ account, with the towering front man being denied at the near post following good approach play from Ayoub Assal.
Young-Coombes was then the next Wimbledon player to have a go as he met Nightingale’s cross with a side-footed effort that Turner could only spill.
Moving into the second-half and our side’s chances kept on coming with Hudlin going close again with a header from a corner that drifted just wide of the far post.
The Gills then came close to taking the lead themselves, with Broome having to dive full stretch to keep out Will Wright’s curling free-kick.
Wimbledon fans were then up in arms not long after as Assal appeared to be kicked whilst on the floor by the near touchline, however the referee elected to only show a yellow card to Ben Reeves.
Paul Kalambayi was then presented with our best chance of the second 45 minutes, only for the defender to get his angles all wrong as he sliced the ball over from inside the six-yard box.
The Dons continued to press hard for a winner as we entered the final quarter, with it appearing that only one team would emerge victorious.
Gillingham then had the ball in the back of the net only for the referee to disallow the goal after consulting his linesman.
There was then a big moment for David Fisher as he was introduced for his competitive debut after making his way through our Academy system.
And the striker was straight into action as he picked out Jack Currie with a pinpoint cross, but the wing-back’s header was straight at Turner.
Substitute Josh Davison then blazed over the bar after being played in on the edge of the area as the Wimbledon pressure continued.
However it was the Gills who would take the lead against the run of play. Mandron was given far too much room to cut inside from the right and the Dons were made to pay as he found the far corner.
And things soon went from bad to worse for our side as Green doubled the visitors’ lead after the ball was given away cheaply, with the second goal putting the tie to bed in stoppage time.
AFC Wimbledon: Nathan Broome, Will Nightingale, Paul Kalambayi, Chris Gunter, Isaac Ogundere (David Fisher), Jack Currie, George Marsh (Quaine Bartley), Paris Maghoma, Ayoub Assal, Nathan Young-Coombes (Ethan Chislett), Kyle Hudlin (Josh Davison)