AFC Wimbledon 2-2 Shrewsbury Town

AFC Wimbledon were pegged back from 2–1 up to take a point at home against Shrewsbury Town on the opening day of the new league season.

Both sides were virtually indistinguishable from the teams that finished last season as both managers handed debuts to no fewer than seven players in their starting elevens.

Things did not start brightly for the hosts when Sammy Moore, the Dons' longest-serving player, conceded a free kick approximately 30 yards out barely ten minutes into the game.

Shrewsbury's number nine James Collins got on the end of a flick on from the set piece to score the first goal of the season in the division.

Collins had the chance to double the visitors' advantage shortly after but was met with a smart save by debutant James Shea in the Dons goal – although the offside flag was also up against him.

Shea's fellow debutant Sean Rigg, signed from Oxford in the off-season, saw a header cleared off the line in a goalmouth scramble shortly after as Wimbledon applied the pressure looking for an equaliser.

The pressure finally told as Jack Smith sent in a floating cross from the left flank which Matt Tubbs met with a smart powerful header.

Just before half time Rigg had the chance to put Wimbledon ahead but saw his effort palmed away from almost point-blank range by Jayson Leutwiler.

The second half was a much cagier affair, with both teams battling for domination in midfield.

It took nearly half an hour for the first serious attempt in the second period, and it resulted in a goal as Rigg finally got on the scoresheet, finishing coolly from inside the six-yard box after Leutwiler found himself out of position.

It appeared that the Dons would see the game out, but they looked defensively frail and ten minutes later Collins nabbed a second to send a dagger through home hearts, tapping home from a low left flank cross.

Wimbledon captain Alan Bennett went down with a serious-looking injury with a minute to go as the Dons desperately held off successive shrews attacks, but the hosts managed to hold on until the final whistle to claim a point on the opening day.

DONS: James Shea, Barry Fuller, Jack Smith, Sammy Moore, Adam Barrett, Alan Bennett (capt; Mark Phillips 89'), Sean Rigg, Dannie Bulman, Adebayo Akinfenwa, Matt Tubbs, George Francomb (Kevin Sainte-Luce 90')

Subs not used: Ross Worner, Callum Kennedy, Harry Pell, Chris Arthur, Adebayo Azeez

Attendance: 4,162