AFC Wimbledon lost out on penalties to Plymouth Argyle after a topsy-turvy game that finished up 3-3 after normal time.
A first-half double from Kyle Hudlin and a good finish from Ayoub Assal had put the Dons into a commanding half-time lead, however it all unravelled for us in the second 45 minutes.
Sam Cosgrove – a former Wimbledon loanee – led the fightback for his side as he hit a hattrick in 15 minutes, turning the game on its head and leaving our side shell shocked.
In the end the game was decided by spotkicks, with both Assal and David Fisher failing to find the net as our Papa John’s Trophy journey came to an abrupt end.
Johnnie Jackson rung the changes after our prolonged break in fixtures, with the likes of Nathan Broome, Hudlin and Courtney Senior all getting the nod for this game against the League One leaders. Meanwhile Paul Osew made his long-awaited return from injury on the bench.
Broome was quickly called into action early on as he did well to get behind an effort from Caleb Roberts after the Plymouth attacker had been laid off by Cosgrove.
After coming through a few minutes of pressure it was the Dons who would go on to take the lead. Alfie Bendle cleverly worked a free-kick out to Assal on the left-hand side, with the tricky attacker delivering a low, pacy ball into the area for Hudlin to head home from a few yards out.
It was then 2-0 not long later as our number 18 claimed his second of the evening. A hopeful cross was launched in towards the back post with Ryley Towler doing well to hook the ball back in for Hudlin to crash past Callum Burton.
The towering target man then turned provider as he did well to play in Assal who calmly finished from an acute angle for our third before half-time.
Bendle then went close just after the break as he shot over the bar from the edge of the area as we sought a fourth. However it was Argyle who got a goal back through Cosgrove after Broome deflected a free-kick into the path of the striker.
Cosgrove then scored at the second attempt following a brilliant save by the unfortunate Broome. The Plymouth frontman then completed his hattrick as he fired home powerfully after being played through.
Broome was then called into action in stoppage time as he did well to deny Morgan Whittaker from distance. Towler’s late header then drifted wide as the match headed to penalties.
Assal saw his spot kick saved before Fisher missed the target, with the Pilgrims eventually winning the shootout 4-3.
AFC Wimbledon: Nathan Broome, Chris Gunter, Alex Woodyard, Josh Davison (David Fisher), Ayoub Assal, Ryley Towler, Kyle Hudlin, Alfie Bendle (George Marsh), Courtney Senior (Ethan Chislett), Jack Currie, Paul Kalambayi
PICS: Graham Hunt (Pro Sports Images)