The Dons came away from a feisty encounter with Sutton United empty-handed as we failed to really test our local rivals.
Aside from Harry Pell’s first-half header we rarely threatened to take anything from the game and in the end Craig Eastmond’s fortuitous goal proved to be the difference.
The weight of the occasion clearly gave the match an extra edge but it was a challenge that we failed to stand up to on what was a disappointing afternoon at Plough Lane.
There was one change to the side which lost out at Walsall with Paris Maghoma coming in for Lee Brown, meaning that Ryley Towler moved back into defence after his outing in midfield last week.
An record-breaking crowd of 8,568 packed out all four stands of the Cherry Red Records Stadium ahead of kick-off with game coming as the first league meeting between the two sides since our reformation in 2002.
Ayoub Assal was causing Sutton plenty of problems with his movement during the opening 20 minutes, with the visitors resorting to some rough treatment in order to snuff out the danger.
It was the U’s who would threaten first however with Donovan Wilson’s powerful effort forcing Nik Tzanev into a brilliant save.
Wimbledon bit back quickly as Pell’s bullet header was just about tipped wide by Lewis Ward as we began to get on top.
Nevertheless it was Sutton who would take the lead. First a free-kick was given for what appeared to be a harmless coming together, before the delivery was then bundled home by Eastmond as Tzanev appeared to be impeded. Despite mass protests from our bench and players, referee Carl Brook was unmoved as the goal stood.
The Dons slowly began to recover from the shock of conceding as Jack Currie’s shot was directed over the bar by Ethan Chislett on the stroke of half-time.
A drab opening 15 minutes of the second-half was followed up by another fantastic save by Tzanev who had to spring full length to keep out Will Randall’s curling shot.
As the half wore on Alex Woodyard and Courtney Senior were introduced, which saw us switch to a 4-3-3 formation as we sought an equaliser in the final quarter.
Tzanev was called into action again, denying Josh Neuville from close-range as the visitors looked certain to double their lead.
Added time came and went but Wimbledon failed to test the opposing backline at all, meaning that we came away from the first South London derby of the season empty-handed.
AFC Wimbledon: Nik Tzanev, Chris Gunter, Harry Pell, Josh Davison, Ayoub Assal, Ethan Chislett (Courtney Senior), Ryley Towler, Paris Maghoma, Jack Currie (Alex Woodyard), Paul Kalambayi, Isaac Ogundere (Quaine Bartley)
PICS: Ian Stephen (Pro Sports Images)