AFC Wimbledon lost out 1-0 to Doncaster Rovers on Saturday afternoon in a game where we struggled to get going.
Aside from a few half chances there was a real lack of energy and zip about our side – traits that have got us into the conversation for a play-off place this season.
A third minute goal from Doncaster proved to be the catalyst for an afternoon to forget as we failed to really test the home keeper.
With our next home game now taking on even more importance, the Dons have to dig deep and find the quality that has seen us produce so many good moments in order to revitalise our hopes of a top seven finish.
Johnnie Jackson made three changes to the team which took on Crawley Town, as Jake Reeves returned to skipper the side, with Alex Pearce and Ronan Curtis also being restored to the starting line-up. This saw the likes of James Ball, Kofi Balmer and Josh Davison drop out.
It was a less than ideal start for the Dons as we found ourselves behind within the first three minutes. Hakeeb Adelakun broke free on the left side of the box before firing into the far corner, giving Alex Bass no chance.
Past the 20th minute of the contest, Wimbledon began to regain some control in the match, getting in behind down the channels, albeit without creating any clear chances of note.
An encouraging team move involving James Tilley and Isaac Ogundere resulted in a corner that Curtis headed off target.
It proved to be the closest we came to getting back level in the first 45 minutes as we trooped in at the break with a lot of work to do.
Wimbledon certainly enjoyed much more possession in the opening half of the second period, however the forward passes largely lacked penetration.
Any real threat that did come about came from the boot of Tilley down the right, with the winger creating a good opportunity that Omar Bugiel couldn’t quite connect with. In response Johnnie made a change as Neufville returned from injury to replace Josh Kelly up front.
Bugiel was next to be replaced as John-Kymani Gordon entered the field at a time when things were beginning to become stretched. Josh Davison was also added into the mix, replacing Lee Brown in the closing stages as we switched to a back three.
It was a final roll of the dice for the Dons who had looked out of sorts for the majority of the afternoon. The changes and shift in system added energy to the proceedings but it was too little, too late as succumbed to defeat.
AFC Wimbledon: Alex Bass, Lee Brown (Josh Davison), Jake Reeves, James Tilley, Josh Kelly (Josh Neufville), Armani Little, Alex Pearce, Omar Bugiel (John-Kymani Gordon), Ronan Curtis, Jack Currie, Isaac Ogundere
Attendance: 6,440 (443 away)
PICS: Simon Davies (Pro Sports Images)