Argyle 1 Wimbledon 2: Match report

A LATE goal by Wimbledon substitute Adebayo Akinfenwa condemned Argyle to their second 2-1 in two weeks, and dealt another blow to Argyle's ailing promotion hopes.

As sucker punches go, if Ollie Watkins' brace for local rivals Exeter last week was a combination to the ribs, this was a cross from nowhere across the jaw that sent the Green Army reeling. Argyle had trailed at half-time despite dominating, with Lyle Taylor's breakaway goal giving Wimbledon an unlikely lead.

Argyle rallied, with Graham Carey's volleyed effort drawing the Pilgrims level on the hour. However, Akinfenwa took advantage of uncertainty in the Argyle defence to head over Luke McCormick and give play-off chasing Wimbledon all three points.

Reuben Reid's absence with an injury left a space in the starting line-up, and it was duly filled by Hiram Boateng, making his first start for Argyle since October 31. Hiram took his place on the left-hand point of a diamond-shaped Argyle midfield, in which Carl McHugh formed the defensive base. Graham Carey slotted in behind Argyle's front two of Jake Jervis and Jamille Matt, with Jordan Houghton furthest to the right.

After the moving pre-match festivities honouring our Armed Services, Argyle almost made the perfect start, as Jervis put pressure on Dons' defenders and retrieved the ball. His set back to Carey saw the Irishman strike powerfully against the crossbar only for it to rebound down the wrong side of the line from an Argyle perspective. This was all in the first 30 seconds of the match.

Carey, from the off, showed signs of reveling in the freedom granted to him, and after drifting right, picked up the ball, cut inside and curled not far over from 20 yards.

There followed a rather curious 20 minute period where remarkably little seemed to happen. Wimbledon looked to match up Argyle's diamond, and despite efforts from full-backs Gary Sawyer and Jordon Forster to get forward and support, Argyle did not have the requisite width to get behind and trouble the Dons.

It was increasingly looking like a case of Argyle being patient and working their way to unlocking Wimbledon's rearguard, as they were facing little trouble at the other end.

Corners, it seemed, might be Argyle's best chance of breaking through. Carey's delivery on three right-wing corners in a short space of time sent palpitations through the Dons each time, and an immediate one from the other wing was scrambled away after Jervis' equally good cross.

The break, though, was decisive. Wimbledon sprung forward a little quicker than the Pilgrims retreated, with Jake Reeves leading the way. His throughball reached Lyle Taylor, who clipped past the oncoming McCormick to give the Dons a lead out of nowhere.

If Home Park was a nervy place before the opening goal, the tension levels notably escalated after it. It was not helped by a run of incidents where a ball in the area would either fall to the fortunate feet of a Dons defender, or in front of a Argyle man who was not quite ready. Factor in headers by Jervis and Jordon Forster that they will probably feel they ought to have got more on, and it led to an understandably frustrated Argyle side trailing 1-0 at the break.

Even as the board was being shown for an additional minute of play, the presence of Jervis and Matt created space for Carey to nick a toe on the ball and force a save from Kelle Roos, and there was still time for the number 10 to put an ambitious effort from a direct free-kick into the side-netting.