The young Dons were edged out of the Youth Alliance Cup after they lost on penalties at the training ground to Oxford United in a match that went the distance.
Having dominated the first half, Simon Clark’s in-form under 18s lost momentum after the break and exited the competition at the third round stage, going out 4-3 on penalties, following a sudden-death shoot-out after the tie had ended one-all in normal time.
Oxford attempted to impose their game from the kick-off and defender Ollie Downs was called into action in the first couple of minutes to clear from inside the penalty area. The young Dons created the first real opportunity of the game though, when Tom Wilson carved out space and crossed for Aron Sasu who shot just wide.
Two minutes later, Wimbledon were in front. Morgan Williams did well to set Sasu away, who set up Reuben Amissah with the initial effort and Wilson followed up to score the opener. The goal changed the flow of the game. Moments later we had the ball in the back of the net again, only to be ruled out for a challenge on the keeper.
Approaching the midway point of the half, Leo Young grazed the post with a header from a Wiilliams corner. Wimbledon forced Oxford back into their half and by the half hour mark had a good shape about them and control of the game.
Oxford tried to get in behind a well organised backline and earned a corner five minutes before the break, but Wimbledon cleared and broke away quickly through Wilson who put the ball wide from a quick counter attack. Shortly after, a great pass from Williams set Sasu away, who put the ball just wide of the upright from close in.
Paris Lock was the subject of a couple of challenges, which required the referee to step in, but the young Dons finished the first half in command and with a deserved lead.
With work to do, Oxford again started the second half brightly and earned the first corner. They were restricted to a shot from range though, as the young Dons got behind the ball to protect Harry Griffiths.
Wimbledon were soon on top again and forced Oxford back, but against the run of play they committed a foul with an attempted tackle inside our penalty area on a rare opportunity for the visitors. The referee awarded a penalty which Oxford captain George Franklin converted and gave them a lifeline back into the game.
Wimbledon responded with Lock earning a corner from close range and shortly after Harry Sidwell shot over the crossbar from distance. Just after the hour mark, Remi Onabanjo came on for Amissah. Going into the last quarter it had become a more even game and Griffiths made an important save from close range for an Oxford corner.
With fifteen minutes to go, Williams tried to change things with a shot from outside the box. Both sides went in search of a winner with penalties looming. Lock had a great opportunity from close in under the crossbar.
Wimbledon forced Oxford back and kept the ball around their penalty area, but the visitors had the ball in the net in time added only for it to be ruled out for offside and at the final whistle the two teams headed for a shoot out.
Sasu, Wilson and Sidwell all scored from the spot, but Williams and Lahan had their efforts saved. Griffiths saved two Oxford spot kicks. Downs then had his penalty saved as it went to sudden death and Oxford scored to set up a fourth round meeting with Cambridge United.
AFC Wimbledon: Griffiths, Tepe, Downs, Sidwell, Lahan, Young, Lock, Williams, Wilson, Amissah (Onabanjo), Sasu.
Photos: Lucy Dixon.