Captain Barry Fuller has urged AFC Wimbledon to get Saturday’s defeat at Exeter out of their systems at Mansfield tonight.
The Dons left Devon with nothing to show for their efforts except a suspension for midfielder Dannie Bulman as they were beaten 3-2 by the Grecians.
And now the skipper has called on his side to put that memory to bed with three points against the struggling Stags.
“We knew beforehand that it would be a tough game and a sending off after 25 minutes made it more difficult,” Fuller told AFC Wimbledon’s official website.
“It was difficult physically with 10 men. A lot of the boys were saying afterwards that it was not a penalty. It was hard to take, but we have another game on Tuesday so we cannot dwell on it.
“We pressed them at the end and got balls into the box, but it just was not to be. We needed something to fall for us, but it never happened for us and now we have to move into Tuesday.”
A win for the Dons tomorrow night could see them leapfrog Exeter and move into eleventh, which would also provide a boost to any lingering hopes of finishing in a play-off place.
And the skipper is keen to ensure that his side’s heads don’t drop as they look to finish the season strongly.
“Mentally we were down afterwards because we got beat, but that is understandable. We cannot dwell on this too much with Mansfield up next.”
“We have to get ourselves right for Tuesday now and focus on the next game, which we are looking forward to.”
Meanwhile, powerful centre-half Dave Winfield will remain on loan at AFC Wimbledon for a further month.
The defender was due to return to York City after Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Exeter but the two clubs have agreed an extension.
