Wycombe Wanderers 0-3 AFC Wimbledon

Jack Midson proved a point to AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley with a goal on his return to the starting line-up as the Dons ended their winless run at Wycombe Wanderers.

Midson, making his first start since October 2013, netted a second-half penalty to seal a 3-0 victory over the Chairboys after goals from debutant Charlie Wyke and Sammy Moore.

AFC Wimbledon went into the game on a disastrous run of form that had seen them go seven games without a win and were still reeling from the loss of top scorer Michael Smith, who has returned to Charlton following the expiry of his loan spell.

Dons manager Neal Ardley acted quickly this week to address the situation and yesterday completed the signing of Wyke on an initial month-long deal from Middlesborough, with the new boy partnering Midson in attack.

Wycombe Wanderers have been on a dreadful run too, one win in eight for them, with boss Gareth Ainsworth named the same starting XI as the one he selected to face Fleetwood Town last weekend,  although the match was postponed and they have not played since Boxing Day.

Despite heavy rain overnight in Buckinghamshire, the Adams Park pitch looked in superb condition this afternoon and the slick surface was conducive to a passing high-tempo game, suiting the two sides who both like to get the ball down and play.

With both sides so desperate for the points it was always going to be a cagey start. However, there were half-chances at both ends as Harry Pell firing in a fierce shot testing Matt Ingram and the Blues clearing one off the line as Will Antwi's header was kept out.

It was Wanderers went closest seconds before the half-time whistle though as Sam Wood flashed a decent left-footed effort just past Ross Worner's post and the deadlock remained unbroken as the teams trudged off down the tunnel.

Wimbledon came out with real purpose at the start of the second-half and they found the breakthrough just five minutes after the restart as Wyke got on the end of a Sammy Moore cross and his header somehow found its way in via the crossbar.

The Dons had the wind in their sails and went in search of a killer second. Pell, back in the starting line up today after missing much of the Christmas period, embarked on a dizzying run into the penalty area before blasting over the top.

Ainsworth, a former Wimbledon player, needed to do something to swing the game back in the direction of Chairboys, so he freshened things up with the introductions of Matt McClure and the returning Steven Craig up front in the hope of finding an equaliser.

But it wasn't forthcoming and instead the net was bulging at the other end as Wimbledon doubled their advantage. Much like last season's fixture, Sammy Moore lashed home a superb effort from outside the area that gave Ingram no chance.

Moments later and the result was put to bed. Wanderers defender Anthony Stewart, who had just been booked, hacked down a rampaging Kevin Sainte-Luce and was given his marching orders by the referee as the Dons were handed a penalty.

Who else but Midson, who the travelling Wimbledon faithful had serenaded all game, stepped up to take the spot-kick. Ingram went the wrong way and Midson saluted the supporters to celebrate a much-needed three points for the visitors.

There was a late flash point though as Jim Fenlon also saw red for the Dons, sent off for a reckless lunge on Josh Scowen as the game entered five minutes of injury time.

CHAIRBOYS: Ingram, Arnold, McCoy (Morias 79), Johnson, Stewart, Knott (Craig 66), Scowen, Lewis, Wood, Cowan-Hall, Kuffour (McClure 61).

Subs (not used): Horlock, Bloomfield, Kretzschmar,  Doherty.

DONS: Worner, Antwi, Bennett, Frampton, Fuller, Fenlon, S Moore, Pell, L Moore, Wyke (Sainte-Luce 76), Midson.

Subs (not used): Brown, Kennedy, Sheringham, Arthur, Porter.

Att: 3,513