Johnnie Jackson bemoans refereeing decisions after dramatic Dons draw

Posted Wednesday, November 20, 2024 by PA

Johnnie Jackson believes both teams were let down by referee Ben Atkinson in a match which saw AFC Wimbledon score twice late on to snatch a thrilling draw against Accrington.

Nelson Khumbeni produced a moment of magic in the 58th minute to break the deadlock, and it was 2-0 to Stanley shortly after when Dara Costelloe poked the ball past Owen Goodman.

The Dons refused to give in though and Alistair Smith pulled a goal back in the 89th minute before James Tilley scored a stunning equaliser seven minutes into stoppage time to rescue a point.

Tempers flared after the full-time whistle as Stanley defender Farrend Rawson was shown a red card following a ruckus on the pitch.

Although they snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat in the end, Dons boss Jackson felt his side could have had a penalty and that Stanley were fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men earlier.

“I didn’t think there need to be whatever nonsense there was at the end there,” he said.

“It’s difficult for them because they have conceded really late, but I think both teams had gripes with the referee.

“They can tell you about theirs, but mine are that they should be down to 10 men [earlier] and we should have had a penalty.

“They are two big things in a half of football, both haven’t gone our way and yet we still managed to dig it out so fair play to my lads.

“Obviously, we have come here wanting to win, I think on another day we do win.

“That has put us a point outside the play-offs and we have still got a couple of games in hand.

“We are in a really healthy position, everyone wants us to win all these games in hand but it does not work like that.”

Stanley manager John Doolan said that Rawson was responding to a series of poor challenges when he was sent off after full-time.

“I think their 12, Smith [Alistair Smith], over celebrated in his face and they know each other from their earlier days,” he added.

However, Doolan refused to blame the match officials.

“Right, I am not going to blame any referees,” he said.

“The fans, the home fans that is, were not too happy with his decisions so I am never going to blame the referee.

“Where it went wrong, we made mistakes which is football, that is what happens.

“It is how we react, and we reacted accordingly and got a point.

“We could have got three points, we didn’t, we lick our wounds and we go again.

“It is my job to make sure their heads don’t get too down but I am really disappointed because we were in a strong position, winning 2-0 and they end up coming back.

“I’ll say the same again now, we have to move on quick.

“Our fans were outstanding, never question our fans on how many turn up, if it’s 21, 71 or 700 they make a noise, and that is why we go over and applaud them.”