Johnnie Jackson relieved as AFC Wimbledon keep Harrogate out to claim victory

AFC Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson was relieved after his side kept a clean sheet by defeating Harrogate 1-0.

The south London outfit kept their outside chance of winning automatic promotion alive with a second-half strike from Alistair Smith.

Wimbledon have made a habit of conceding late goals in recent games, including losing at Swindon last Tuesday thanks to two stoppage-time penalties.

Jackson was fully aware of the nerves inside Plough Lane late on, but felt his side coped with the pressure.

He said: “Coming off the back of the last few results, that creates a bit more tension than normally happens.

“When we first conceded late against Barrow, it hadn’t happened before. For it to happen in consecutive games, it doesn’t matter what I say you’re going to feel it.

“We scored a really good goal that eventually wins it, but when it’s only 1-0 there will be moments towards the end that you have to see through.

“It was cagey in the first half. But we were dominant in the second half, I thought we played really well. I don’t know if we got any luck today, but if we did, we deserved it.”

The home side were generally on top in a game that saw little in the way of chances for either side.

Harrogate stopper James Belshaw turned a Riley Harbottle header from close range onto the bar before the break, in what was by far the best move of the half.

Wimbledon pushed for an opener after the break, putting pressure on the visiting back line without much reward.

And their persistence paid off in the 77th minute when substitute Osman Foyo crossed into the area for Smith to slot home – a move that provided the decisive goal.

Even so, the majority of those in Plough Lane were clearly relieved at the full-time whistle, as Harrogate pushed for a late equaliser.

The Yorkshire side failed to win away for the ninth straight outing, a run stretching back to January.

Manager Simon Weaver felt one error caused defeat for his side, who sit nine points off the drop zone.

He said: “I feel sorry for the players really, they deserved something from the game. It was a very tight affair today.

“There was nothing between the teams at all and considering we’re bottom third and they’re top third there was nothing in it at all.

“One slight switch off was the difference, their midfielder got the wrong side of us and finished his chance well.

“There were very few chances in the game, it was a great save from Belshaw before the break but we pushed at the end. We’re not too downhearted.”