Latics held at home

CROSSBAR . . . Charles Dunne

ATHLETIC 0, WIMBLEDON 0

ATHLETIC were forced to settle for a hard-fought point in a scrappy contest at SportsDirect.com Park, but almost took all three points in the closing stages.

Billy Mckay's near-post volley tested the reflexes of Dons goalkeeper James Shea in the 24th minute and Lee Erwin made the goalkeeper work again with a far-pots header from another McLaughlin delivery near the end of the opening period.

In between, Connor Ripley was brave to get down at the feet of Jake Reeves to prevent him from scoring when one-on-one.

The second half was mainly a midfield battle and though Athletic pressed, Wimbledon went closest through a Lyle Taylor shot that Peter Clarke got a block on and Dean Parrett's 25-yard free-kick that whizzed past Ripley's right-hand post.

Ollie Banks brought another save from Shea, before a real close shave in the 89th minute when Charles Dunne's header was pushed onto the crossbar, with Freddie Ladapo's follow-up also hitting the woodwork. Peter Clarke then nodded wide as the ball fell to him six yards out and the chance of three points disappeared.