AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley felt the dismissal of Mark Phillips made it difficult to see off League Two leaders Burton Albion last night.
The Dons claimed a goalless draw at the Pirelli Stadium to become the first team to take points off Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s side at home since he took charge in November.
Phillips was given his marching orders midway through the second half and Ardley believes his side could have perhaps gone on to win if decisions gone their way.
Ardley said: "I thought in the first half they were the better team as far as territorial advantage was concerned.
"But we tinkered with things for the second half and in the end I thought we had the best chances to win the game.
"It was obviously tough for us with the sending off. It made it more difficult and forced us to curb what we were trying to do.
"It was a tough evening and I've got to be careful what I say, but the performance of someone out in the middle of that pitch who was not on my team was not acceptable.
"But I'm delighted with our performance. We defended resiliently, there's a good feel about the camp and we'll go away from here in good spirits.”
Burton boss Hasselbaink won’t want to face the Dons again in a hurry after this gritty performance from Ardley’s troops.
Hasselbaink added: "They frustrated us and I imagine they're frustrated as well.
"Both teams had their chances and with a little bit more luck we would have scored one of ours, but it was not meant to be on this occasion.
"It would have been a different story perhaps if the early header had gone in. Then the game would have opened up and the holes would have been bigger.
"In the end, it was always a game of who would make the first mistake or who would take their chance, but none of the two teams could do that.
"Playing against 10 men is always difficult if you have to score. If you're winning already it's a different ball game, but they were able to get nine men behind the ball to frustrate us.
"But it's all credit to my boys that Wimbledon came here and changed their system. It shows we've been doing well of late."
