LUKE Guttridge bagged a late winner to break AFC Wimbledon hearts on Valentine's Day.

The Dons looked like holding out for a hard-fought point at Sixfields, only for Guttridge to earn the League Two strugglers a vital victory 10 minutes from time.

Terry Brown's boys made a slow start, and they had Seb Brown to thank for keeping the game goalless with a couple of early saves.

First, the Dons keeper denied Guttridge from long range, then he thwarted Michael Jacobs after Billy Knott had given away possession in midfield.

At the other end, Jason Euell played in Byron Harrision, but the former Stevenage striker's first touch wasn't a good one and Chris Weale was able to smother his effort.

However, the Cobblers were unfortunate not to take the lead in first-half stoppage-time when Kelvin Langmead powered a header goalwards, but Rashid Yussuff was in the right place at the right time to clear the ball off the line.

The Dons improved after the interval and Euell missed a golden chance to break the deadlock just before the hour mark.

Jack Midson got in behind Blair Adams and picked out Euell in the centre, only for the on-loan Charlton man to somehow steer the ball over with the goal gaping.

Ade Akinfenwa wasted a good chance at the other end when he blazed over from close range, while Euell flashed a shot across the face of the goal for the Dons as both sides searched for a winner.

However, the hosts found it 10 minutes from time when Guttridge headed the ball into an empty net after Brown had parried Toni Silva's effort.

Skipper Jamie Stuart almost snatched a point for Wimbledon late on, but his glancing header slipped the outside of the post.

DONS: Brown, Hoyte, Stuart, Mitchel-King, Gwillim (Hatton 82), Moore, Moncur, Knott (Yussuff 38), Euell, Midson, Harrison (Jolley 67).

Subs (not used): Turner, McNaughton.

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