AFC Wimbledon 2 – 2 Tranmere Rovers
Dons finally found their scoring touch after two games without hitting the net - but still had to share the points with Tranmere who inched off themselves off the foot of the table.
First half goals from Jack Smith and Ade Akinfenwa, separated by a strike from Armand Gnanduillet, set them up with a deserved lead, but they were unable to hang on, and Gnanduillet grabbed his second to clinch the draw.
Neil Ardley’s decision to name an unchanged team from their goalless draw at Plymouth looked like it was paying off early.
AFC looked dangerous down the left wing, where Smith and Sean Rigg repeatedly tormented Tranmere fullback Danny Holmes. Akinfenwa narrowly missed out with two headed chances at the back post as a result.
It was from one of these forays though that the Dons finally went ahead. Smith found space in the box and his cross-cum-shot from a tight angle had just enough on it to float over Owain Fon Williams in the visitors’ goal.
Their lead lasted only five minutes. A lapse of concentration allowed Gnanduillet to create space for a shot on the edge of the Dons’ box and he placed a low strike past James Shea.
The home side kept heads up though, and Matt Tubbs was a constant danger to Tranmere's defence, but his two attempts were blocked by last-ditch tackles, just as he looked certain to score.
Dons did eventually go ahead again though, two minutes before the break, when Akinfewa was finally able to nod home a cross at the back post, this time after great work by Barry Fuller on the right.
Rovers had the bit between their teeth in the second half and pressured AFC from the start causing nerves in the home defence.
The pressure paid off and new manager Micky Adams delighted in a headed goal by Gnanduillet for his second after Shea failed to get a grip on a cross.
Akinfenwa had the only real opportunity to steal it when he was played through on goal, but it was at best a half chance and Dons had to settle for even honours.
Wimbledon: Shea, Fuller, Smith, Moore, Barrett, Frampton, Rigg, Bulman, Akinfenwa, Tubbs, Francomb; Subs: McDonnell, Bennett, Kennedy, Pell, Nicholson, Harrison, Azeez.
