A few pointers from the 2-2 draw with Gillingham last night - as well as word from the AFC gaffer.

You’re at your weakest just after you score

Someone should have reminded the Dons defence of the age-old maxim after Bradley Dack all but helped himself to a leveller barely three minutes after Lyle Taylor gave AFC the lead.

It’s one thing to concede, but it’s another to do so when you need to consolidate a precious advantage – the first since October.

OK, these things are split second…

…but had Tom Elliott taken a shot instead of trying to go round the keeper in the first half, and had sub Will Nightingale headed the right side of the goal on the hour, life would be oh-so different for Dons and co.

A bit of finishing work needed

Dons took it to Gillingham in the second half, and with more confidence and a better away record might have seen them nick a third and a winner.

Hopefully, this welcome point and two goals will go a long way to make good.

Good and bad: Neal Ardley

James Shea in the thick of things

The Dons keeper’s personable imitation of Usain Bolt as he raced across to the assistant to complain about Gillingham’s second goal was augmented by a terrific display in the second half.

Two great saves earned AFC a point as much as the two goals.

The last word from gaffer Neal Ardley

"Sometimes if you cannot create chances and you don’t know if you are going to score, it can be tough.

"Knowing that we have created loads of chances and could have scored more in the last two games is a positive.

"Their second goal was actually a foul on Sean Kelly. We had thought it was offside, but it wasn’t.

"Having seen it back, it was a foul. We are getting those little things against us at the moment that make a difference.

And the match...

AFC Wimbledon earned a fine point thanks to strikes from Lyle Taylor and Andy Barcham - not only his second in three days - but against his old club.

Dons took the lead, but quickly surrendered it. And things looked to be going the way of a fruitless five months on the road until Barcham slid home.

It was also first blood to Dons on 16 minutes.

George Francomb floated a free-kick to the back post. The ball was headed back into the mix by Darius Charles and Taylor struck low and hard for a perfect start.

Anger: James Shea (L) but Andy Barcham scores

The joy for the travelling 512 faithful was so short-lived the cheers barely died before Bradley Dack killed them stone dead.

He broke down the right and cut inside the AFC defence, such as it was, to shoot with his left and curl past a despairing James Shea.

Tom Elliott tried to go round the keeper after he went one on one with Stuart Nelson, but went down far too easily to earn any penalty.

Injury was added to insult when James Shea got booked after he lost it when Gillingham took the lead.

Former Don, Ryan Jackson delivered a fine cross for Josh Wright to divert home. Shea raced across to the assistant ref howling his protest - but the goal stood.

Lead: Lyle Taylor

Sub Will Nightingale spurned a golden chance when he stole into the box, only to head wide when scoring seemed easier.

Shea made a good stop from Dack high up to his left to turn the ball round for a corner, and was again the hero when he stood tall to deny Rory Donnellly.

It proved pivotal.

Down the other end in a heartbeat, Barcham was in the right place to side left-footed into the corner past Nelson, and claim a share of the spoils.

Opening gambit: The two sides exchange pre-match pleasantries

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