AFC Wimbledon 0-0 Plymouth Argyle
AFC Wimbledon failed to find their spark at Kingsmeadow tonight as they played out a goalless draw with Plymouth Argyle.
The Dons had promised a response to the weekend loss at Wycombe Wanderers but lacked the creativity and killer touch in the final third to merit more than a point here.
Neal Ardley made two changes to the side that he admitted were outplayed in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at the League Two leaders.
Dannie Bulman came back from suspension and slotted straight back into the starting line-up at the expense of Jake Nicholson and Alan Bennett was replaced by Andy Frampton.
Barry Fuller wore the captain's armband as Bennett took his place on the bench.
Wimbledon's top scorer Matt Tubbs was the first to get in behind the Pilgrims defence and forced a fine early stop from Luke McCormick as he turned the on-loan Bournemouth man's effort behind for a corner.
Plymouth were operating in a 3-5-2 formation and Anthony O'Connor was unfortunate not to finish off a flowing move at the Kingston Road end after good work from Kelvin Mellor.
A lovely piece of skill from Bobby Reid then left Bulman on his backside in the centre-circle and the silky midfielder went close with a long-range drive that James Shea did well to beat out.
Plymouth grew into the half but it was the Dons who should've gone in ahead at the break as George Francomb found the side netting when he really should have buried a golden opportunity.
Tubbs had been quiet by his standards but he always comes alive when the ball enters the penalty area, very nearly turning in a Sean Rigg cross shortly after the hour mark.
His strike partner, Bayo Akinfenwa, looked out of sorts alongside him an he skied an effort high over the back of the stand in an effort that summed up his night in Kingston.
Moments later though and he rattled the Pilgrims woodwork, climbing highest to get his head to a looping cross that deflected off the top of the bar and went out for a goal-kick.
The Beast had woken up.
Rigg whipped in another cross from the left-hand side, controlled on his chest by Akinfenwa before attempting an overhead-kick, which a lurking Tubbs nodded just off target.
It was a strong finish by Wimbledon in a game that remained on a knife-edge, so much so that Ardley refused to make a substitution, but neither side could find a breakthrough.
Wimbledon: Shea, Fuller, Smith, Frampton, Moore, Barrett, Rigg, Bulman, Francomb, Akinfenwa, Tubbs.
Subs (not used): McDonnell, Bennett, Kennedy, Pell, Nicholson, Harrison, Azeez.
