Dons boss won't allow vital win to gloss over 'sub-standard display'

Mark Robinson was happy to take the points but critical of his team's performance as the Dons eked out a precious 1-0 home win over relegation rivals Northampton.

It needed an 88th minute strike from Joe Pigott and an injury time penalty save from Nik Tzanev to secure all three points. A first win in eight matches takes AFC Wimbledon level on points with the Cobblers, who are now only just above them in the safety zone on goal difference.

"If you don't look at performances, than you get elated with victories and you don't look at the things that went wrong, and then the next defeat's only round the corner," said the Dons' boss.

"It's not a purist attitude. I don't want us to have 50-60 passes, I just want us to perform better.

"They were better than us second half and on the balance of play, maybe today we've nicked three points.

"Second half, we've created very, very little and we didn't implement our identity on the game. If we don't reflect on what we could have done better, then the next time I'm talking to you it will be about another defeat or a draw.

"I'm very performance and process-based. It's just the way I see things.

"Of course I'm happy with the three points but my job is not to get over-emotional, win, draw or lose.

"We haven't won two games on the spin all season, and there's a lot of things we need to get better, based on today's performance. I thought we dropped our standards today."

Robinson did have cause to be grateful for two key contributions in the game which settled the outcome - Tzanev's fine penalty save and Pigott's first goal in nearly two months.

"Tanz is just a very good goalkeeper. I've talked about his development and how he probably hasn't played enough football over the years, but now he's got the opportunity, so I'm sure he'll continue to flourish.

"It's a fantastic save, not even a bad penalty and he deserves all the accolades.

"And Joe's performances have been excellent. I thought he was really good last week. Obviously forwards are always going to be judged on their goals and he got one today and it was nice that it was scruffy in some ways because we haven't really scored goals like that. I've been really pleased with his performances so it's not been a problem."