JOHNNIE Jackson is convinced Harry Pell didn’t deserve to be sent off as Wimbledon’s FA Cup run ended in a 3-1 home defeat to Ipswich Town.
The Tractor Boys broke the deadlock on eight minutes when the unfortunate Josh Davison was the last Dons player to apply a deflected touch on Nathan Broadhead’s shot.
Wimbledon drew level nine minutes later after Jack Taylor handled in the box as a corner was whipped in, with Jake Reeves confidently smashing home the resulting penalty.
But more poor defending from a corner was punished five minutes before the interval, Alex Tuanzebe heading home from close range to restore the Championship side’s advantage.
They almost added a third within a minute of the second half, only the post preventing Ryan Johnson scoring an own goal after he attempted to clear Cameon Humphreys’ strike.
But the game changing moment came just before the hour when Pell picked up a second yellow after attempting to go for a header with George Edmundson.
Referee Matthew Donohue decided the challenge did warrant another caution, leaving Wimbledon a man down for the remainder of the contest.
That didn’t stop Armani Little almost making it 2-2 with a shot that was well saved by visiting keeper Christian Walton.
However, Ipswich wrapped the game up in the final minute as Jack Taylor tapped in after Alex Bass spilled Wes Burns’ attempt.
Jackson couldn’t fault his team’s performance, but was far from impressed with the decision to dismiss Pell.
He said: “I thought it was better than spirited, I thought it was really good.
“We competed with a top team in Ipswich, stayed in the game the whole of the 90+ minutes and we can feel a little bit hard done by. It was never a sending off in my book.
“Harry Pell had eyes on the ball the whole time, catches him with an arm but he hasn’t led with an elbow.
“There were aerial duels all day. If you are going to give yellow cards for that all the time then there will be no one left on the pitch.
“That robs us off our chance.”
Jackson added: “Even with 10 men we were pushing and forcing their keeper into saves.
“We had some corners and stuff like that but they get their third when Tilley is down having been fouled in my opinion.
“He is down and needs treatment so we’ve got nine men when they get their third goal.
“It doesn’t feel right and that tells a story to be honest. I’m really, really pleased with my boys.”
One thing Jackson wasn’t so impressed by was his side’s inability to deal with the corners which produced the first two Ipswich goals.
Asked if that was a frustration, the plough Lane gaffer replied: “It is, I won’t lie.
“If Ipswich cut you open with good play, their movement, their patterns of play, they get through you and they score well, or they score a worldie from distance, it is easier to swallow.
“But that bit (defending corners) is on us.
“I’ve spoke about other things how good we’ve been and perhaps the (sending off) decision.
“That bit is on us – we need to defend those situations better.”
Wimbledon are still firmly in the hunt for promotion from League Two and will continue their search for cup success when Oxford visit Plough Lane on Tuesday evening in the Football League Trophy.
And Jackson doesn’t believe today’s result will have any negative impact on his squad in the coming weeks and months.
He added: “We had confidence anyway.
“We are not going to win every week but we are a good team that are playing well.
“Performance levels are generally very good, very consistent, so we are good.”
