AFC Wimbledon 1-0 Portsmouth
AFC Wimbledon extended their unbeaten home run to six games on Saturday after beating 12th place Portsmouth thanks to a Ben Chorley own goal after six minutes.
But the Dons had to withstand fierce pressure from the visitors to hold onto their lead as Pompey piled forward looking for an equaliser.
Neal Ardley’s men had chances to make the lead safe but couldn’t get the better of Paul Jones who came to Portsmouth's rescue on a number of occasions.
The south coast club, meanwhile, failed to make use of their opportunities considering Andrew Awford went all out attack for the final stages of the game.
Wimbledon got off to a flyer and soon had an an early lead; Barry Fuller feeding unmarked striker Craig Tanner who managed to swivel and dink his shot over Paul Jones, only for Ben Chorley to knock the ball into his own net.
Alfie Potter later came close to doubling the hosts lead after pouncing on a mistake by Nyron Nosworthy, but Jones was out quick to halt the danger.
Portsmouth struggled to create chances, but Matt Tubbs nearly gave the visitors something to cheer about before half-time flicking on a cross from Cole Kpekawa only for Ross Worner to claw it away.
On the hour mark Wimbledon came to close to doubling their lead; Tom Beere coming off the bench to hit a long range effort which dipped over the bar. From the resulting corner Adebayo Akinfenwa then had his header tipped over by Jones, before saving Tanner’s drive moments later.
Moments later Ryan Taylor nearly equalised flicking a Kpekawa cross towards goal only for Worner to save the improvised effort with his legs, followed by Jack Smith having a drive which Jones had to push around the post.
For the final stages Portsmouth switched to an attacking mind-set, leaving gaps at the back as Adebayo Azeez fluffed a golden chance to double their lead by scuffing his effort wide.
But it was Portsmouth who nearly came away with a point in the dying stages; Paul McCallum climbed highest in the box to direct his header on target, but Worner was there to collect the ball.
Wimbledon held on to continue their unbeaten home run that climbs to six games and climb above opposition Portsmouth, while Pompey will be kicking themselves on not offering more in this match-up.
Wimbledon: Ross Worner, Barry Fuller (c), Jack Smith, Sammy Moore, Adedeji Oshilaja, Jake Goodman, Sean Rigg (Tom Beere), Jake Reeves, Craig Tanner, Adebayo Akinfenwa, Alfie Potter (Adebayo Azeez)
