A Tom Elliott inspired second half rally could not save AFC Wimbledon from a third successive defeat at home to Scunthorpe.
Neal Ardley’s side are left propping up the rest after just failing to overturn the visitors’ 2-0 half-time lead courtesy of Tom Hopper’s header and josh Morris’ penalty.
Elliott rose from the bench to lead a revival which saw Darius Charles reduce the arears, but it was not enough for Dons who are still without a point.
As on Saturday against Bolton Dons started well, Andy Barcham’s tantalising cross on nine minutes striking the far post before Jake Reeves’ follow-up effort was tipped over by Luke Daniels.
Tyrone Barnett had a goal chalked off for offside, but the visitors who had threatened through Morris’ shot saved by Ryan Clarke found their feet and stole ahead on 23 minutes when Tom Hopper’s towering header gave Clarke no chance.
A goal to the good the visitors were a side transformed and Luke Williams wasted a glorious chance to double the lead by firing across goal and wide when in the clear on the right of the Dons’ area.
Ardley’s side were under the cosh and a mistake by Barry Fuller allowed Williams to tee up Kevin van Veen for what looked a certain goal until Sean Kelly’s last-ditch block.
It proved a brief reprieve as six minutes from the break Darius Charles clipped goal scorer Hopper allowing Morris to send Clarke the wrong way from the spot.
To cap a disappointing half Dons had their own penalty appeals waved away when Lyle Taylor went down under challenge a minute from the break.
A double change at the break saw Barcham and Whelpdale sacrificed in favour of Tom Elliott and Dean Parrett as Dons reverted to 4-3-3.
With Elliott immediately influential Barnett saw one shot blocked before Dons reduced the arrears on 62 minutes. Fuller’s free-kick from the right again found the head of Elliott and though the effort hit the bar Charles followed up to score.
Elliott then almost levelled with another huge leap seeing him head inches wide and he tested Daniels again with a shot parried behind by the keeper.
Hopper missed a sitter in the last minute of normal time to keep home hopes alive, but despite five minutes of stoppage-time Dons who also lost talisman Taylor to injury could not find a deserved leveller.
