Dons boss left to bemoan what might have been after Crewe grab last-gasp equaliser

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AFC WIMBLEDON boss Johnnie Jackson felt his side should have been out of sight before Crewe fought back at the death to snatch a 2-2 draw.

The Dons dominated the opening period and deservedly went in 2-0 ahead at the break thanks to goals from Josh Neufville and the ever dependable James Tilley.

But Crewe were right back in it six minutes into the second half courtesy of Joel Tabiner’s close range finish.

And there was to be late, late heartbreak for Wimbledon when Elliot Nevitt grabbed an equaliser for the Railwaymen in the 10th minute of stoppage time.

Jackson couldn’t find any fault in the Dons’ first half display but admitted frustration at the way his charges lacked concentration early after the interval.

He told afcwimbledon.co.uk: “We were outstanding (in the first half). The game should’ve been done.

“It should’ve been done, it should’ve been over.

“At 2-0 it wasn’t, and the start to the second half was sloppy. We lost our focus which was disappointing because we spoke in the changing room about going again at half-time.

“We switched off and they got a goal. We then got back into the ascendency and didn’t take our chances.”

Despite their overall dominance, Jackson reckons it was sloppiness during two crucial periods of the game which ultimately led to Wimbledon’s undoing.

He explained: “Five minutes at the start of the second half and five minutes at the end out of the 100 odd minutes have cost us.

“The other 90 we were the dominant team and we had a lot of chances to put it to bed. We should have been clear in the game. We should’ve been four up at half-time.

“We didn’t kill the game off, they threw bodies forward and in the randomness of football, the ball deflects into their path.

“You’ve got to see it out – whatever it is to see the game through, you’ve got to do it.”

The Dons boss and his coaching staff will now review what happened today before going again next week at Walsall.

Jackson said: “We will look back at where we could’ve done better. There was a lot of good stuff today.

“We’re not far from being a really good team but if we’re not going to score enough to put them out of sight you leave yourself open to this.

“The lads understand that those moments of sloppiness has cost us.”

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