Dons goal-shy at the wrong moment to leave promotion bid wavering

Picture : Capital Football

Wimbledon 0, Port Vale 2

Not for the first time this season, AFC Wimbledon were left to rue their chronic inability to score goals, let alone fashion decent chances.

The Dons' third successive blank left their promotion hopes hanging in the balance. They had gone into their Saturday lunchtime fixture against fellow contenders with slim hops of going up  automatically but now they may not even make the playoffs. 

While Vale celebrate their promotion after only a year's absence from League One, Wimbledon's concern will be the need to rediscover their form and scoring touch next Saturday at Grimsby who are also very much in the mix.

The Dons have comfortably the division's best defensive record but only three clubs in the top 14 have scored fewer goals. And it was easy to see why. Apart from one brief flurry shortly before the interval, the visiting goalkeeper Ben Amos was scarcely required. 

After home skipper Ryan Johnson had sent a header over, Amos went full length to tip aside a shot from Sam Hutchinson and was then relieved to see an effort from Callum Maycock diverted for a corner. 

Vale dominated the rest of the game . They were unlucky not to go ahead in the 55th  minute when Connor Hall headed against the underside of the bar only for Jayden Stockley to be judged offside when he stuck away the rebound from a few inches. 

Not to worry, for Vale's next effort on target ten minutes later did count. It came after referee Declan Bourne had impressed by utilising the advantage rule before penalising and booking Riley Harbottle for a foul. Jaheim Hedley's free kick was met by a slick header from Stockley.

Wimbledon's subsequent double substitution served only to cause confusion that led to Hedley rolling in Vale's second goal from George Byers' excellent through ball. 

With the Dons' manager Johnnie Jackson seeing a red card for protesting on the touchline in the middle of those three eventful minutes, it was certainly not Wimbledon's day. Vale held out without undue difficulty.