Aristote’s late show has Hurst surprised
ARISTOTE NSIALA’S late header gave Shrewsbury all three points against a spirited Wimbledon side – much to the surprise of his manager Paul Hurst.
West Brom loanee Tyler Roberts had given the Shrews a secondhalf lead, only for Andy Barcham to restore parity for the Dons minutes later.
But in the 90th minute the Congo international Nsiala secured a victory with his first goal for Shrewsbury having joined last month.
“When I first came here we wouldn’t have won this game,” said Shrews boss Hurst.“Now however, our determination, resolve and fighting spirit is so much better. It wasn’t the best of games, but the three points enables us to continue our good form.
“Toto Nsiala rarely scores, so our winner was one for the scrapbook.
“We had been practising set-pieces in training and I don’t think he put one in the net. But he did when it mattered.
“Wimbledon looked dangerous throughout. When they pegged us back I thought we would have to settle for just the point but we kept at it and were rewarded.
“It wasn’t pretty but this three points moves us ever closer to safety.”
A first-half littered with niggly fouls resulted in little fluid and free-flowing football, although Ryan Yates had the ball in the net for the home side but he was correctly ruled offside.
Just before the break, Wimbledon were unlucky not to take the lead when Tom Soares’ 25-yard free-kick rebounded back into play off the crossbar.
And a minute later, the Dons had a goal disallowed when Tom Elliott’s effort was ruled out for pushing. In the second half Elliott was again unlucky when his header hit the crossbar.
In the 65th minute, Freddie Ladapo was fouled just outside the Dons penalty area and from the resulting free-kick Roberts found the top corner.
The home side’s advantage only lasted three minutes though as Barcham’s low drive from 25 yards beat Jayson Leutwiler.
It appeared the Dons would go home with a point, only for Nsiala’s late show when he headed home a corner from the right.
“It’s disappointing to concede so late,” said Dons boss Neal Ardley.
“I felt we deserved at least a point. We had a goal disallowed which, on another day, may have been given.
“We played well, but this defeat now means we are looking over our shoulder.”