Dons reassert themselves at Notts County's expense to keep top three finish very much on the agenda

AFC Wimbledon (2) 2 Lewis 21, Smith 35

Notts County (0) 0

The Dons got their promotion bid back on track after a mini loss of form - and in beating a County side who started the day one point and one place above them, they also did their hopes of automatic elevation no harm at all.

Two first half goals set them on their way and they were determined to stamp their authority on the afternoon from the outset. The way they restricted Alassana Jatta was also a great source source of satisfaction for boss Johnnie Jackson.

The Magpies striker is level with Matty Stevens on 16 goals this season but did come close to making it 17 with a shot on the turn inside the box 10 minutes from time that thudded back off the crossbar.

Having netted only two goals in five games and having lost the last two 1-0, this was one the Dons badly needed. They looked as if they were still smarting from the loss to South London rivals Bromley in the previous home game and eager to make amends.

After the early sparring, the Dons began to make some inroads against the tangerine-shirted visitors, with Alistair Smith forcing a good block tackle after overlapping on the right. And it was the midfielder who won a free-kick outside the area which set the wheels in motion for the opening goal.

Marcus Browne's dead ball effort cannoned behind off the wall but from the subsequent corner, Joe Lewis rose to get his head on the ball and find the net for the first time this season, following James Tilley's flag kick. That contribution was a bonus. He had a very sound game defensively, which was his main task.

Browne - from a narrow angle - and Tilley were soon testing former Dons keeper Alex Bass with efforts as the Dons looked to cash in on the greater threat they were posing by adding to their opener.

Smith in particular looked in the mood and when skipper Jake Reeves played a short pass along the 18-yard line, there was no hesitation in pulling the trigger - the shot arrowing into the roof of the net. It was his third of the campaign.

A second half that became all about game management for the Dons was as serene as it could be. When County skipper Matt Palmer fired just over, 73 minutes in, the away supporters vented their frustrations with chants of: 'We've had a shot'. Jatta went closer soon after with that shot against the woodwork but there were no more real scares.

Callum Maycock came off the bench and headed a glorious late chance over the bar, but Wimbledon comfortably kept control of proceedings.

For home fans, enjoying the sunshine that helped swell the attendance to a season's best, the better weather signals the approach of the finishing line and this was a good way to kick-start the final dozen matches that will decide their team's fate.

Dons: (3-4-1-2) Goodman - Ogundere, Lewis, Hutchinson - Neufville, Reeves, Smith, Tilley - Browne (Maycock 76) - Bugiel (Pigott 89), Stevens (Kelly 83)

Magpies: (3-4-2-1) Bass - Johnson (McDonald h/t) , Platt, Bedeau - Hinchey (Macari h/t), Abbott, Palmer, Tsaroulla (Gordon 92) - Grant (Edwards 92), Whitaker (Jarvis 68) - Jatta

Attendance: 8,659