Joey Barton starts life at Fleetwood with home defeat

Posted Sunday, August 05, 2018 by PA

Joe Pigott brought Joey Barton back down to earth as his goal saw AFC Wimbledon beat Fleetwood 1-0.

The pre-match build-up was all about former England midfielder Barton, taking charge of his first game, but the Dons stole the headlines at Highbury courtesy of Pigott’s 60th-minute goal.

Kwesi Appiah and Pigott were both guilty of wasting clear-cut chances in the first half for the Dons with Ched Evans nearly scoring a David Beckham-esque goal from inside his own half.

Evans’ long-range effort flew wide of the right post though and it was all square at the break.

Fleetwood came out fighting with Tommy Spurr forcing Tom King into a fine save after Bobby Grant’s corner fell to him at the back stick.

But that scare rallied the Dons and they took the lead moments later. Ben Purrington’s cross from the left did the damage, Andy Barcham flicked it on and Pigott was on hand to gobble up the chance.

Appiah had several opportunities to put the game to bed but failed to pack his shooting boots.

Grant certainly had, his left-footed rocket crashing into the left post but as the rebound rolled to safety so did Barton’s hopes of a good start as his reign started with defeat.