JOHNNIE Jackson was “fuming” after AFC Wimbledon’s EFL Cup run was ended by a 1-0 defeat against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Tuesday night.
Fabian Schar scored the only goal from the penalty spot a minute into first-half added-time as Eddie Howe’s Magpies booked their place in the fourth round against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Jackson was unhappy with the penalty award, after the linesman flagged for a foul by Joe Pigott on Miguel Almiron with referee Darren Bond initially playing on.
Jackson said: “I’m fuming, to be honest. The first one is a dive so it should be a free-kick and yellow card.
“Then there’s a break in play and another coming together and about three or four passes after that, he hasn’t given it, he’s in a good position, then the linesman decides to get involved.
“Like we’re not up against it enough coming here as the underdog, we don’t need a linesman getting involved – the referee is there to referee the game.
“I’m angry about that one. I don’t see that happening at the other end. For that to be the difference in the game tells you a lot about my team.”
Wimbledon fought hard against a side 60 places above them in the pyramid but ultimately Newcastle comfortably saw the game out.
Jackson added: “The way we went about our game-plan and task, Newcastle know they’ve been in a real game.
“Credit to my boys. The gulf in divisions and quality is obvious but I think we closed that gap as a team tonight and frustrated them.
“It says a lot about my team that I’m disappointed we haven’t got something from it or forced it to penalties because the effort deserved that.
“I know they dominated the play but we stayed in the game, made a fight of it and lost to a dodgy penalty.”
The Dons are back in League Two action on Saturday when they travel to Salford City for a 3pm kick-off.
