Wagstaff nets Wimbledon winner against former club

Posted Sunday, November 24, 2019 by PA

Scott Wagstaff’s first-half goal against his former club earned AFC Wimbledon a 1-0 victory over Gillingham.

The Gills dominated early on as Brandon Hanlan shot at Dons goalkeeper Nathan Trott from close range and Mikael Mandron headed wide.

Wagstaff curled past Jack Bonham to put the Dons ahead with their first shot on target after 19 minutes for his first league goal since September 2018.

A brilliant last-ditch tackle by Luke O’Neill – another former Gillingham player – denied Hanlan from scoring a quick-fire equaliser. The Gills striker then shot inches wide under pressure from Ryan Delaney.

The Gills felt they were denied a penalty on 53 minutes when Olly Lee appeared to be dragged to the ground by Mitch Pinnock.

Pinnock almost added to the visitors’ frustration when his first-time shot from 25 yards forced Bonham into a fingertip save after an hour.

Max Sanders’ deflected cross cannoned off Bonham’s crossbar a minute later but the Dons had already done enough to claim their first league win in four.

Gillingham’s miserable afternoon ended with substitute Ben Pringle getting sent off by referee Kevin Johnson three minutes into stoppage time for dissent.