AFC Wimbledon were punished for some sloppy defending on Tuesday night as Stevenage came from behind to win 3-2.
As has been the trend with our recent games, it was the men in yellow and blue that took the lead as Ali Al-Hamadi fired home his third goal in as many matches.
However a strong first-half performance was dampened early in the second period as Carl Piergianni headed home unmarked. Stevenage then took the lead for the first time on the night as Jordan Roberts scored a similarly scrappy finish.
Our man in form then doubled his tally, scoring at the second attempt after his initial effort struck the woodwork.
It wasn’t to be enough to regain a significant foothold, with Luke Norris striking the knockout blow following a wide free-kick.
Johnnie Jackson made two changes to the side which lost 2-1 to Gillingham as Paul Kalambayi and Ethan Chislett replaced Jack Currie and Harry Pell.
We were quickly out the traps, with Josh Davison firing over after good approach play by Al-Hamadi. Our number nine then went even closer as he saw his half volley palmed away by Toby Savin.
Al-Hamadi was next to have a go, with Savin somehow keeping out his low effort as he broke through. Armani Little then had an attempt from distance that whistled over the bar as continued to have the better of the first-half.
Our efforts to go ahead proved not to be in vain as we took the lead with half-time approaching. Little picked up the ball on the near side before sending in a swirling cross to the back post, leaving Al-Hamadi with the simple task of bundling home his third goal for the Dons.
Maintaining our energy in the second-half was the challenge, however it was the away side who fought back strongly as they levelled the scores. A routine corner wasn’t properly defended, allowing Piergianni to head home.
Wimbledon almost hit the front again instantly as Chislett shot inches wide of the left-hand post. Al-Hamadi was then matched by Savin for a second time.
Stevenage’s tails were up following their goal and soon enough they had a second for their efforts. This time a cross bobbled into the area, with Roberts poking in.
We weren’t to be written off quite so quickly however, as we levelled the scores once more. Substitute George Marsh played Kasey McAteer into the area expertly. Our number 19 crossed low, with Al-Hamadi gleefully bagging his second.
Keeping with the theme of the game, it was Borough who found their scoring boots for a third time. Another free-kick was poorly dealt with by the Wimbledon backline as Norris found time to control and finish.
In the end it proved to be decisive as the visitors emerged as the narrow victors after surviving six minutes of added time.
AFC Wimbledon: Nik Tzanev, Chris Gunter, Lee Brown (George Marsh), Alex Woodyard, Will Nightingale, Josh Davison (Saikou Janneh), Ethan Chislett, Ali Al-Hamadi, Armani Little, Kasey McAteer (Sam Pearson), Paul Kalambayi
PICS: Ian Stephen (Pro Sports Images)