JAMES Tilley admitted AFC Wimbledon’s cup exploits probably caught up with them in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Newport.
The Dons gave Premier League Chelsea a huge scare on Wednesday night, taking a shock lead through Tilley’s penalty before eventually going down 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Tilley maintained his impressive recent scoring spree with another two goals inside the opening half hour in south Wales to put Wimbledon 2-0 up at the weekend.
But Newport pulled one back through Will Evans in first-half stoppage time before Omar Bogle struck after the break to ensure the honours were shared.
Wimbledon remain unbeaten in League Two and Tilley still saw the positives from what has been a memorable week, even if the Chelsea display did eventually take its toll.
He told afcwimbledon.co.uk: “Overall, it’s a good point for us as it’s a tough place to come.
“Obviously we’re disappointed to have given up a two-goal lead, but after Wednesday night at Chelsea it was a massive shift from everyone today and we’ve got to take the positives out of it.
“It was just two lapses of concentration from us that cost us really.
“The boys put everything into the performance at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup though, and it was hard work coming here and trying to do it again.
“Every team that plays us, it’s not going to be an easy game for them.
“We’re just going to go into every game giving it everything.”
Manager Johnnie Jackson couldn’t fault his side’s effort and accepted a draw was probably the right outcome/
The Dons chief said: “It was a good point first and foremost on the back of the efforts that the lads put in three days ago.
“To go again and produce that amount of effort delighted me.
“Obviously because we were ahead in the game there’s always that disappointment, but this is a tough place to come.”
Jackson added: “After the week we’ve had, and given the fact that they’ve won their two home games here really convincingly, we were under no illusions that this would be a difficult match.
“It was a really good game between two teams going at it. It was a fair point.”
Wimbledon are at home to Stockport on Saturday (ko 3pm). Click here for ticket information.
