The Dons were made to settle for a point at Bradford City in what was a largely uneventful 0-0.
Returning to Sky Bet League Two action, Wimbledon featured a series of new faces amongst our squad, but there was little in the way of goalmouth action to raise hopes of turning one point into three.
The defensive performance will no doubt be pleasing for our management team as we kept a clean sheet for the first time since 9 January.
We’ll now be aiming to go one better next time out as we return to the Cherry Red Records Stadium to take on Barrow.
Johnnie Jackson made six changes to the side that started against Peterborough United in midweek as January arrivals Josh Kelly and Kofi Balmer came in for their debuts. Alex Bass, Lee Brown, Omar Bugiel, Isaac Ogundere and John-Kymani Gordon were also restored to the team.
Meanwhile, there was also a place on the bench for our other deadline day signing John-Joe O’Toole and for Alex Pearce, who made his return from injury.
The Dons had to hold firm in the opening 10 minutes as the home side – buoyed by a sizeable support – started on the front foot, applying pressure through set pieces.
Our side were also beginning to cause problems for the hosts, with Kelly and James Tilley showing some nice touches in the final third. It appeared that Wimbledon had a fair shout for a penalty, with Bugiel clearly being held, only for our widespread appeals to be waved away swiftly by referee Ross Joyce.
This proved to be the main moment of action in an otherwise quiet first-half, as both teams trooped in at the break with plenty to play for.
Bradford fashioned an early chance to open the second 45 minutes with a goal, as Alex Gilliead fired just wide from distance.
The Dons had the advantage of pace in behind, with Kelly and Gordon both staying on the shoulder of Bradford’s defenders. Ronan Curtis was introduced just past the hour mark as we looked to bring a different dynamic to our attack.
The game was becoming more and more stretched as we headed towards the final 10 minutes, which saw another roll of the dice as Josh Davison and Ryan McLean were brought on.
We continued to hold firm when the Bantams did threaten with Lee Brown putting in a vital block to repel a goal bound effort.
In the end, there was nothing to separate the two sides as we came away with a point and a clean sheet for our efforts.
AFC Wimbledon: Alex Bass, Lee Brown, Kofi Balmer, James Tilley (Ronan Curtis), Josh Kelly (Josh Davison), Armani Little, James Ball, Omar Bugiel, Jack Currie, Isaac Ogundere, John-Kymani Gordon (Ryan McLean)
Attendance: 16,403 (387 away)
PICS: Paul Thomspon (Pro Sports Images)