Johnnie Jackson’s AFC Wimbledon were denied at the death by Doncaster Rovers as a rollercoaster game finished up 2-2 at Plough Lane.
The fixture saw two of the sides relegated from League One last season lock horns and it made for an intriguing game to say the least as temperatures even boiled over at times.
Nathan Young-Coombes was on course to steal the headlines for the Dons as he netted twice after coming on as a substitute – however Doncaster would go on to fight back with a vengeance.
Tommy Rowe and Ro-Shaun Williams had the last laugh as they scored in the final few minutes of the game – with the latter bundling home a header deep into stoppage time.
It left a bitter taste in the mouth for everyone of a Wimbledon persuasion as for the best part of 84 minutes we watched our team do more than enough to walk away with three points. Alas, it wasn’t to be and now we must pick ourselves up ahead of a trip to Mansfield on Tuesday.
Jackson reverted back to the side that drew 0-0 against Hartlepool United last time out in the league, with the likes of Nik Tzanev, Alex Pearce and Lee Brown all being restored to the starting eleven. Meanwhile there was one change on the bench as Quaine Bartley came in for Kyle Hudlin.
It didn’t take long for the Dons to have a first effort on goal. Jack Currie was found in acres of space out on the left, with the wing-back teeing the ball up on the edge of the box for Ethan Chislett to test Johnny Mitchell with a low strike.
Currie was once again the outlet as our second opening of the game came and went. His low cross was met by the onrushing Josh Davison, who’s powerful effort was palmed into the air by the Rovers’ keeper.
Ayoub Assal then saw his close-range shot deflected wide as the Wimbledon pressure continued to build.
Doncaster then had their first opportunity of the game just north of the half-hour mark as Lee Tomlin saw his curling free-kick strike Tzanev’s right-hand post.
Every time the likes of Assal and Paris Maghoma were played into space they were quickly fouled as tensions began to increase almost simultaneously with the rising temperature.
As the game moved into the second 45 minutes it was clear that the Dons would be looking to move the ball at a much higher tempo.
There was almost an early breakthrough, with Chislett once again finding space, but his rising shot comfortably cleared the crossbar.
Assal was then set free down the left, with his low shot proving easy for Mitchell to scoop up as our side began to turn the screw.
The attacking midfielder was then at the heart of the action again. He looked to have been crowded out in a corner before he used a clever bit of skill to slip away from two challenges, with his cutback deflected away.
There was then a close call for Wimbledon as the visitors working the ball in from the left and the resulting header somehow flashed wide from barely a couple of yards out.
It was then Wimbledon’s turn to go closer. This time Assal arrowed in a shot that seemed for all the world like it would find the corner, but much to his frustration it drifted just wide.
However, it wasn’t long until the deadlock was finally broken. Lee Brown floated in a delicate cross for Davison, whose downward header struck the post. An almighty scramble ensued in the box with substitute Young-Coombes being quickest off the mark to stab home from basically on the goal line.
And it was the Brentford loanee who would go on to double his tally. This time Assal terrorised the Doncaster backline, before crossing low for the striker to flick the ball in via the post.
Wimbledon fans could have been forgiven for thinking that would be that. However, Rovers came right back at us and got a goal of their own as Rowe crashed home an unstoppable shot that left Tzanev with no chance.
In almost an instant the pressure had swung in the other direction and it was the visitors who were now pushing for another goal and, unfortunately for the Dons, they got it.
A corner delivery was hoisted into the box and flicked on towards the back post, where Williams was there to head home for a shock share of the spoils.
AFC Wimbledon: Nik Tzanev, Will Nightingale, Alex Pearce, Lee Brown, Chris Gunter, Jack Currie (Paul Kalambayi), George Marsh, Paris Maghoma, Ethan Chislett (Nathan Young-Coombes), Ayoub Assal, Josh Davison
PICS: Stephen Flynn (Pro Sports Images)