Tilley spot on for Dons with late penalty to earn draw against new-boys Wrexham

Posted Sunday, August 13, 2023 by PA

A late penalty from James Tilley secured AFC Wimbledon a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Wrexham in their Sky Bet League Two match at Plough Lane.

Elliot Lee’s deflected strike had put the Welsh side ahead in the first half.

Dons striker Ali Al-Hamadi saw his spot-kick saved just after the hour, but Tilley made no mistake with a second penalty with just nine minutes left to leave both sides still awaiting a first league win of the new season.

After a frantic start, Lee turned Jacob Mendy’s low cross past Dons goalkeeper Alex Bass for the opening goal in the 22nd minute.

Wimbledon enjoyed the better of the second half, with Omar Bugiel, Josh Neufville and Tilley all going close.

The pressure eventually told when the hosts were awarded a penalty for a push by Will Boyle on Bugiel – but Al-Hamadi’s effort was saved low to his right by Ben Foster.

The Wrexham keeper denied Al-Hamadi again a few minutes later before Lee just failed to connect with another Mendy cross.

With 10 minutes left, Wimbledon were again awarded a penalty for a foul by Eoghan O’Connell on Harry Pell, and this time Tilley stepped up to convert.

Wrexham substitute Sam Dalby could have won it, but fired over.