Simon Bassey was thrilled and frustrated in equal measure after AFC Wimbledon triumphed in a seven-goal thriller at Accrington Stanley.
Billy Kee’s brace after 10 minutes left the Dons staring defeat in the face but they recovered their composure and battled their way back into what will go down as one of the games of the season.
New loan signing between the sticks, Cardiff’s Ben Wilson, must have been fearing the worst after Stanley’s quick-fire double but Dannie Bulman pulled one back with a wonderful strike.
And it was the former Crawley Town man who was involved again for the equaliser as he fed George Francomb and the winger’s cross was turned in by an onrushing Lyle Taylor.
Sean McConville restored the home side’s advantage but Bulman’s second, another excellent finish, sent the two teams in level at the half-time interval and gave fans a chance to catch their breath.
The Dons hadn’t scored four goals away from home since September last year but they did just that to win the incredible contest in the second period as Taylor thundered home the decisive effort.
Wimbledon coach Bassey was understandably overcome with emotions at the final whistle and admits he was tearing his hair out at times while also admiring the clinical finishing of the Dons players.
He told Dons Player: “It was certainly a game of differing emotions, that’s for sure.
“From a coaching point of view there are loads of things to work on. It was great character from the boys to come back from 2-0 down, but we should not have to score four goals away from home to win a game. We are disappointed with that, but thrilled with the character that the side showed.
““There were some really good performances, but we attack and defend together as a team. Overall, we have to do better. It’s a minimum requirement when you come away from home. We got beat 4-0 here the other year and lost 1-0 last season.
“At 2-0 down after 10 minutes you are fearing the worst, but the boys rolled their sleeves up and full credit to them. With the standards we set we are a little bit disappointed, even though we are pleased with the victory.”
New arrival Wilson has penned a 28-day loan deal from Championship Cardiff, with manager Neal Ardley acting quickly to provide cover after James Shea’s groin injury.
