AFC Wimbledon are still looking for their first League One point after a narrow defeat at home to Bolton Wanderers.

Andy Barcham’s early goal gave the hosts the perfect start, but Dons advantage was wiped out by strikes from Gary Madine and Liam Trotter as Wanderers won for the first time on the road in 495 days.

Here are some thoughts on the latest lesson in a steep learning curve for Neal Ardley’s men.

Ardley is keeping the faith

The Dons’ boss made just one change from the the opening day at the Bescot with Dean Parrett replacing his former Stevenage teammate Chris Whelpdale.

It suggests Ardley is determined to keep as settled a side as he can as his side adjust to the rarefied air of League One.

Patience: Neal Ardley

They are still searching for a 90-minute performance

Dons were superb in the first 20 minutes and Andy Barcham’s goal arose from the best piece of football in the match.

However, they failed to maintain their intensity against a side without an away win in over a year and lost to Bolton’s only two real chances in the match.

Set-piece improvement needed

Dons struggled with defending set-pieces both in defeat at the Bescot Stadium against Walsall and the League Cup exit at Peterborough.

They nullified the threat today, winning the first ball more often than not against imposing forwards, Darius Charles in particular impressing for the hosts.

Top job: Tom Elliott in action

An early question mark over keeper Ryan Clarke

The experienced custodian spent the whole of last season on the bench for Northampton and his error for the Bolton leveller suggests he is still a little ring rusty.

Allowing a weak shot to squirm under his body was not the best of ways to introduce himself to the Wombles’ faithful.

Ardley rallied to the defence of his newly installed No 1 afterwards, but in an unforgiving league and with James Shea on the bench Clarke won’t want any repeats of such dramas.

Tom Elliott is a shining light in the shadows of defeat

The selfless striker was a menace at both ends of the pitch, his bald pate regularly beating his rival to the ball.

The effort though meant he had ran himself ragged by the hour and Dons were not the same force without him.

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