Johnnie Jackson paid tribute to his side's character after a game in which we pushed Bradford City all the way on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Harry Pell and Ethan Chislett saw the Dons turn the match on its head after Scott Banks had given the hosts an early lead, with our side ultimately settling for a well-deserved point as Vadaine Oliver cruelly equalised in stoppage time.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for those of a Wimbledon persuasion, but the 351 travelling Dons will have left feeling that our side gave everything they had for the cause.
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“I’m really proud of the performance," said Johnnie. "I thought the lads were outstanding to a man. They left everything out on the pitch. The commitment to the badge was incredible. They put their bodies on the line and I thought we were going to see it through - it would’ve been a deserved win.
“We spoke about coping with adversity in the build-up to the game. Perhaps in previous matches we hadn't dealt with it, but the response today after going a goal down was excellent. We could’ve folded or gone under, but we stood up and took the game to Bradford.
“It’s a very difficult place to come against a team that should be in and around the automatic promotion places. It’s a point on the board and it stops the run of defeats. My message at the end to the boys was to get their heads up because they did the football club proud today.”
The gaffer was equally as pleased to see Pell score the first goal of his second spell in a yellow and blue shirt as he crashed home a rebound from close range, whilst he also praised Chislett for executing another stunning free-kick to put us ahead.
“I know Pelly is going to bring goals to the team. I’m pleased that he’s off the mark, he gets in great positions and makes the box well.
“It was great technique from Ethan. We know he has that in his locker in those areas. It’s no fluke because he is always working on them in training.”
Last but by no means least, Johnnie picked out the performance of Isaac Ogundere, with the defender making his first league start today after graduating from our Academy.
The right wing-back rarely put a foot wrong in what was a challenging afternoon at times and his enterprising display earned the praise of our manager.
“The young lad was magnificent. I told the group before that I wanted to see a real team performance and I have to single him out for that. His energy at both ends was superb, he was cramping up at the end and we kept asking him if he was all right, but he kept going. For me, he looked like a man out there - not a young player.”
Johnnie confirmed that Alex Pearce was withdrawn in the first-half with a groin injury, but he added that it was too early to assess the extent of it.
PICS: Paul Thompson (Pro Sports Images)