Latics denied in late drama

WING MAN . . . Athletic's Ryan McLaughlin fires in a cross despite the attention of a Dons rival

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THE cold, hard facts as presented by the league table are undeniable, but when Athletic come as close as this to claiming three points then there has to exist some sympathy for manager Stephen Robinson.

In an extraordinary incident in the 89th minute of this clash against a doughty and streetwise Wimbledon side, Charles Dunne and Freddie Ladapo both hit the frame of goal and Peter Clarke headed wide from point-blank range.

BRILLIANT

Had the ball found the net, rather than first being subject to a brilliant save from Dons goalkeeper James Shea and then bouncing either on or over the line - Ladapo felt it was the latter, but referee Darren Deadwood was unmoved - then Robinson's side would be only a point away from safety.

Would Athletic have deserved to pick up a victory here - against a club unbeaten on its travels since the opening day of the season at Walsall?

Arguably so. While the first half was a tight affair, Billy Mckay and Lee Erwin both forcing sharp saves from Shea, the hosts changed to a 4-2-3-1 shape after the interval.

And while goalmouth incident was at a premium until the latter stages, the Dons were really clinging on by their fingertips as the minutes ticked away.

Athletic turned the screw, but for a seventh time in nine home games, didn't breach the opposition.

Whichever way you shake it, though - and Athletic have found scoring form in cup games recently - nine goals scored in 17 league matches is a pitiful record.

Robinson went back to basics with his team selection, with the changed line-up on show at Blackburn dispensed with.

That meant returns for captain Clarke, right-back Cameron Dummigan, striker Erwin and winger Ryan McLaughlin. Out went Josh Law, Brian Wilson, Jamie Reckord and Calaum Jahraldo-Martin, with the latter pair not managing to claim a place on the substitutes' bench.

In a scrappy, tit-for-tat opening, Wimbledon started the marginally the better side, at least in territorial terms, with Jake Reeves worrying Connor Ripley with a drive from 20 yards out that passed close to his left-hand post.

SLOPPY

Athletic were a little sloppy in possession - a misplaced Ollie Banks pass led to a spin and shot from Dean Parrett which lacked the requisite power to beat Ripley - but went close to scoring after 24 minutes.

McLaughlin's cross from the right flank was an accurate one and Mckay got in front of his marker at the near post to apply a touch that would have resulted in a goal but for the sharp reflexes of Shea.

Highly-rated Lyle Taylor was lively for the visitors - unbeaten on the road since the opening day coming in to this game - and after he grazed the side-netting with a powerful effort after starting the move with a burst from the centre circle, the eight-goal striker then teed up Reeves with a smart reverse pass.

TRACKING

Who exactly should have been tracking Reeves' run is one for the analysis session, but what was clear was Ripley's bravery in haring out of goal to put his body on the line, saving low at the midfielder's feet and getting a painful clattering from the retreating Fane in the process.

Athletic had moments of their own, too, in an opening period that ended with Erwin, racing in at the far post, heading a measured McLaughlin cross low and seeing Shea produce an excellent reaction save to push the ball behind.

Wimbledon started the second half on the front foot. Taylor, the visitors' most likely man to break the deadlock, saw a goal-bound shot blocked bravely by Clarke after he had cleverly allowed the ball to travel across his body and onto his left foot.

Athletic responded well, though. McLaughlin put in a superb cross that Flynn, operating in an advanced role along with substitute Lee Croft couldn't quite rise to meet.

Dean Parrett curled a free-kick inches wide from 20 yards out after a sloppy foul from Ollie Banks, but the action was mainly taking place inside Wimbledon's defensive third.

DEFLECTED

Clarke's header at goal deflected behind off a defender and Flynn had a good chance when sent through on the right side of the box, only for the angle to force him wide and allow Shea to block his attempt to squeeze the ball under him.

Croft and Banks both had long-range shots beaten away by the busy Shea and from Banks' 89th-minute corner, Dunne, Ladapo and Clarke all went within a whisker.

IN A NUTSHELL: It was another one of those afternoons for Athletic.