Lee Brown’s pairing with Kofi Balmer continues to fill the considerable void left in the absence of our regular centre-back duo.
Morecambe’s second-half equaliser was only the third goal our new-look back line have conceded in four games. Although we remain without the injured Joe Lewis and Ryan Johnson, we did take a point in an increasingly tight battle for play-off places.
“I think we’re defending really well as a unit and their goal did come against the run of play,” said Browny.
“They had limited chances, limited shots, similar to Accrington really, but you get punished if you don’t deal with it. It was a good response after midweek - we’d have liked to have won - but I feel like the performances have been solid overall.
“We’re one point off the play-offs going into the business end of the season, so we’ve got to keep it really positive, and we know we’ve got the capabilities to go on a run. Let’s see what happens.”
Crystal Palace loanee Kofi collected the sponsor’s man of the match award, his prodigious long throw-ins catching the eye again, as part of another impressive defensive display.
“Fair play,” said Browny. “Kofi is a young centre-half who has done really well.
“I’m enjoying playing alongside him, but it’s completely different from playing left-back. If you can organise, sort of get bodies around you, and read the play, you can get away with it.”
Browny is also enjoying linking up again with former Portsmouth teammate Ronan Curtis. Together, they were part of a Pompey side that won the EFL Trophy against Sunderland at Wembley in 2019.
Having provided the pass that set Ronan away in the build up to our goal, Browny said: “He’s got another assist and he’s a good player - he was a good player in League One.
“He had a really bad injury and we’re lucky to have him here now. It suits both parties, in terms of Ronan wanting to get fit, and us wanting a really good winger.
“He owes Wimbledon a lot though for giving him the chance, to be honest with you, but I think he is repaying the manager.”
Attention quickly turns to Tuesday night, back at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, as we aim to complete the double over Crawley Town.
“If we win, it’s then not a bad points tally for the two games at home,” said Browny. “We’ve got to win it, because it could be really bad if we don’t.
“Our home form has been really good of late, but that can change at any point. We’ve got to keep that up. We can’t be complacent and just think we’re going to win now, regardless of winning six out of the previous seven before this one. We’ve got to be bang at it.”
Former AFC Wimbledon left-back Michael Haswell made his debut as part of our Radio WDON commentary team for the game against Morecambe.
Mickey, who went up from the Ryman Premier and Blue Square South with us, spoke in the build-up to kick-off about:
- Learning from Wimbledon greats as a schoolboy on the books
- How Dave Anderson finally made his Dons dream a reality
- Forging friendships with teammates after back-to-back promotions
- How the next generation in his young family has become a Dons fan
Photos: Ian Stephen (Pro Sports Images).