By Georgia Garnett
AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson admitted his side needed a “refocus” after their play-off dream threatened to slip away late in the season.
When the Dons failed to win in four games and went into the last day after two defeats, a loss at Grimsby Town would have seen them miss out on the top seven.
But Sam Hutchinson scored the only goal of the game and the Wimbledon comfortably got through their semi-final, winning both legs 1-0 against Notts County.
They will face Walsall on Monday for a chance to join Doncaster, Port Vale and Bradford City in League One next season.
Following a dip in form in the latter part of the season, Jackson believes the final-day victory and the two semi-final wins have been key to resetting the momentum.
He said: “We’ve had that mentality – you can’t get through us, even if you’re trying to get through us – all season, and it’s worked, we’ve been very hard to beat.
“We needed a little bit of refocus after Port Vale because it was an emotional day and an emotional down, so getting them back up for Grimsby – and we’ve gone and won three games on the bounce now – the lads have been brilliant.”
Josh Neufville’s goal in the eighth minute of the second leg settled any nerves the home side and their supporters at Plough Lane might have had.
Jackson said: “I thought we were outstanding – a real top performance against tough opposition but we completely deserved it.
“We defended brilliantly and we had a real threat going forward as well, scored an unbelievable goal, but we probably should have had a few more as well.”
Dons forward Matty Stevens admitted that early goal was crucial.
Stevens said: “I think everyone on that pitch had a bit of nerves, if someone said they didn’t, I think they would be lying.
“It was a big game for both teams and they’ve got some really good players, so we knew we had to defend – there were going to be times in the game where we had to keep in our shape.
“Once we got that goal, it was a little bit more of a cushion and gave us a little bit more confidence.”
On the Wembley decider, Stevens added: “It’s been set up perfectly. Both teams, including Walsall, found a bit of form going into the final. I think they won their last game of the season and stopped a drought, then they’ve won their last two, so rightly the two probably best teams deserve to be there.
“Obviously, I believe we’ve got more than enough in the squad to win and get us over the line.”
Monday’s match against Walsall will kick off at 3.01pm.
