JOHNNIE Jackson believes there is “still a lot to play for” despite AFC Wimbledon’s 3-2 defeat to Swindon Town at The County Ground at the weekend leaving them outsiders to clinch a play-off place.
Joe Lewis put Wimbledon ahead in the second minute before Gavin Gunning’s hosts scored three times in the second half through Aaron Drinan and Dawson Devoy’s brace.
Lewis scored two minutes from time but the home side held on despite Udoka Godwin-Malife’s dismissal a minute into stoppage-time.
It would need a remarkable combination of results for the Dons to finish in the top seven in League Two, but Jackson also stressed to the squad they are playing for their futures over the last two games.
“It’s hard to take because I don’t feel that they were the better team,” Jackson said on the Dons’ website. “We were in the ascendency for the majority of the game and had the best moments. We had to get a win. We tried to do that and that’s probably cost us because the game became chaotic. It all came from us letting them off the hook and giving them a really soft goal for the equaliser.
“The boys threw everything at it in the final moments and if we had an extra five minutes we probably would’ve got another goal as Swindon were hanging on.
“We had loads of great moments but the quality of our final ball at times was lacking. We chose the wrong option too many times, which is the most frustrating thing. The quality has let us down in the last little bit.
“There’s two games and madly, there’s still something resting on them. If we can get to 68 points, that asks questions of other teams. There’s still a lot to play for and that will help with our preparations for Tranmere. I’ve told the players that they have two games to show they want to be a part of what we’re doing.
“If we miss out this season, we need to be putting together a squad that is capable of mixing it with the teams vying for automatic promotion spots and play-off places. With that in mind, the players have got to be on it every game.
“We’ve progressed the football club hugely this season but we want to get promoted and get this club back to League One. If it doesn’t happen this season, it has to happen next season. We’ve got a good group of lads who give everything but sometimes that isn’t enough.”
The Dons travel to Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.
