NEAL Ardley lambasted his AFC Wimbledon players for their second-half showing against Southend United.

Gavin Tomlin set the Shrimpers on their way with a good finish on the stroke of half-time but the Dons conceded three goals from set-pieces after the interval to leave their boss fuming.

He said: “I thought for the first 35 to 40 minutes we were doing everything we'd talked about. Our centre-backs were dominant, the front four needed to give us more but we were on top. It's an accident waiting to happen at times with us and first shot at goal they score from and you're chasing the game.

“What happened in the second-half was unacceptable. We worked hard on set-pieces and talked about how their centre-backs were a threat from set-pieces. We talked about marking them tightly and marking them well. As manager I take the rap for it but I'm looking at the boys and asking: did you do for me what you should've done?

"As soon as we conceded the second goal all of the hard work and focus that was there to be there for your team-mates went out of the window. Players started going against instructions that were given to them, wandering into where they felt they wanted to go rather than keeping their shape for the team. It's a character thing and that was lacking today."

Ardley will be looking for a response when Wimbledon make the long journey to Morecambe on Saturday.

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