AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson said he never felt his side’s lead was under serious threat during their 2-1 win at Carlisle United. The south London club went third as they held on for victory at Brunton Park.
Carlisle United lost 2-1 to AFC Wimbledon – so how did we rate the players at Brunton Park?
AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson said he never felt his side’s lead was under serious threat during their 2-1 win at Carlisle United.
Jackson admitted the closing stages were anxious for his team after Matt Dennis pulled one back for Carlisle.
But he was pleased that his side denied Mark Hughes’ strugglers any further chances.
“We deserved to win it,” said Jackson.
“It was nervy [at the end] because of the state of the game and because we had only a one-goal cushion, but we saw it through.
“After their goal I can’t remember our goalkeeper having too much to do.
“Buzzing that we got over the line, really pleased because we dug in.
“We showed two sides to us today. We played some really good football, and dug in when we had to.”
Callum Maycock shot the Dons in front in the second minute with Alistair Smith doubling their lead early in the second half.
Jackson felt his side started the game well and managed to handle a spell later in the first half when United were on the front foot.
“I don’t feel like they were really going to hurt us,” he added in a club interview.
“They probably caused us a little bit of an issue with their full-backs being spare. We spoke at half-time about how we could get more pressure on the ball.
“In the last 20 minutes of the first half they were on top but we were equally as on top in the opening half of that as well.”
Jackson was not happy with the way his side allowed United to reduce the deficit but he added: “It’s not like us to concede that type of goal, we should stop the cross then we get done at the back post.
“But today we should be talking about what we did do – we won a game of football against a team fighting for their lives.
“That isn’t going to be easy for teams to come here from now until the end of the season.”
