AFC Wimbledon’s first away goal for 778 minutes was not save them from a cruel defeat at in-form Shrewsbury.

Andy Barcham was the man to end a drought stretching back to October 22nd cancelling out Tyler Roberts’ deflected opener for the hosts.

But Aristote Nsiala’s 90th minute header left them with nothing.

The result was harsh on Neal Ardley’s men, who had a goal disallowed, hit the woodwork twice and had another effort cleared off the line. But with results elsewhere going against them they are now just five points above the League One drop zone.

Dons began brightly and should have led when returnee from injury Darius Charles planted a free header off target with just five minutes played.

Shrews had a goal chalked off at the other end, Ryan Yates adjudged off-side when touching home Alex Rodman’s shot.

It was first half-half injury time when Dons twice came close to ending their goal famine.

First, Tom Soares’ 25-yarder crashed back off the upright with home keeper Jayson Leutwiler well beaten.

Woodwork: Tom Soares

Then in the next attack Tom Elliott, back from suspension, headed in, but celebrations stuck in the throats of Dons’ fans as the referee ruled the striker fouled his marker.

The change around did little to ease the frustration as 10 minutes after the break Elliott saw another header cleared off the line, while a follow-up effort by strike partner Lyle Taylor was scrambled behind for a corner.

Leutwiler kept out another long-range strike from Soares, but courtesy of a huge stroke of luck the hosts the hosts grabbed the lead against the run of play on 65 minutes.

Sean Kelly was penalised for a foul and Tyler Roberts’ resulting free-kick deflected off the wall leaving James Shea stranded.

Dons responded superbly, Charles seeing a header cleared off the line before the drought ended on 68 minutes, Barcham firing a grass-cutter inside Leutwiler’s left-hand post.

Ardley immediately brought on Dom Poleon and former Shrew Tyrone Barnett in search of all three points.

But all their hard work was undone in the final minute when Whalley’s corner found an unmarked Aristote Nsiala who headed past a helpless Shea.

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