Sheri has Cod Army marching to safety

JOHN Sheridan is confident Fleetwood can take a further big step towards securing another season in the third tier, following their vital victory at AFC Wimbledon on Friday.

The Cod Army will go into tomorrow’s home game against Bristol Rovers off the back of three wins in a row that have lifted them eight points clear of the relegation zone.

They will certainly be hoping the weather’s a bit drier at Highbury after they came through an afternoon in southwest London where the unrelenting rain left the pitch virtually unplayable.

Sheridan said: “We’ll go into the game trying to win and I expect us to win because we’re at home.

“We’re facing another good team but whoever we’re playing, especially at home, I expect a win.

“I’ll be trying to keep my feet on the floor, but I applaud my players because they’re the ones who deserve the credit.”

On the result at Wimbledon, Sheridan said: “It was a big game for us both and the most pleasing thing is we’ve got a massive three points.”

Ashley Hunter had a long-range effort beaten away by Wimbledon goalkeeper George Long but the ball was sticking whenever it ran through the middle of the pitch.

Fleetwood were adapting to the poor conditions better, with Jack Sowerby bending a shot from outside the box just wide.

The Cod Army went ahead after 22 minutes when Conor McAleny found Sowerby in plenty of space and he gave Long no chance with an emphatic finish.

Lyle Taylor wasted a glorious opportunity to equalise for Wimbledon from Dean Parrett’s free-kick before he came even closer after 57 minutes, as his swerving effort was brilliantly saved by Alex Cairns.

Liam Trotter then sent a terrific halfvolley from 30 yards dipping just over the bar before play was suspended for the groundstaff to try and soak up some of the standing water on the pitch.

Hunter almost sealed the win with seven minutes left when Long made a good stop at the post.

Wimbledon remain two points above the drop zone and now face a tricky match at midtable Doncaster.

Boss Neal Ardley said: “Doncaster won’t slack off, not with their manager, you have to earn every win and we’ll have to do that.

“It’s a quick turnaround and the boys will be back playing on a heavy pitch but we’ll get them fresh and have another go.

“We only got really ragged in the last 25 minutes of the game.”