FORMER Arsenal striker Francis Jeffers bagged a brace as AFC Wimbledon’s winning run was ended by ruthless Accrington Stanley.

The Dons had chalked up three wins on the spin prior to this one but they took a beating in Lancashire to dent their survival hopes.

Wimbledon remain four points clear of the drop zone, however fellow strugglers Barnet, Torquay and Plymouth all won to claw back some ground.

Kevin Sainte-Luce was rewarded with a starting berth having made a successful cameo in Saturday’s vital win at Aldershot.

Neal Ardley made four changes in all as Luke Moore, Stacy Long (pictured) and Kelly Youga also came into the line-up.

Brennan Dickenson, Rashid Yussuff and leading marksman Jack Midson, who netted the winner against the Shots, all dropped to the bench. Jonathan Meades was unavailable due to international commitments with the Welsh U21s.

In his absence, the Dons made a dreadful start at the Crown Ground and found themselves a goal down inside the opening five minutes.

And it was former Gunners and Everton striker Jeffers, making only his fourth appearance for his new club, who delivered the opener from 20-yards.

Jeffers is settling into life at the League Two quickly and bagged his second on 18 minutes as he finished at the second attempt after a long ball over the top from Luke Joyce.

Stanley made it three before half-time when another long ball, this time from Laurence Wilson, caught out the Wimbledon defence and Will Hatfield rolled the ball under sprawling keeper John Sullivan.

It would take a monumental effort for the Dons to salvage even a point from here and Ardley acted swiftly, replacing Sammy and Luke Moore with Midson and Dickenson during the interval.

Sainte-Luce almost grabbed the Dons a lifeline after the restart, the former Cardiff City forward crashing the ball against the upright from close-range, as the visitors sent out a warning to Stanley.

But it was the home side who soon extended their advantage as Lee Molyneux played a tidy give-and-go with Hatfield before rifling a superb effort into the top corner.

Accrington have an embarrassment of riches in the striking department and swapped one England international for another as ex-Southampton man James Beattie replaced Jeffers late on.

But Stanley were home and dry long before then as they coasted home to kick-start their own survival battle as the season reaches its climax.

DONS: Sullivan, Mitchell-King, Youga, Bennett, Hussey, Long, S Moore (Midson), Pell, L Moore (Dickenson), Sainte-Luce, Alexander.

Subs (not used): Jaimez-Ruiz, Cummings, Yussuff, Darko Beere.

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