Coughlan: We showed plenty of character
BRISTOL Rovers boss Graham Coughlan prised his side as they came from behind to win at AFC Wimbledon.
The Dons looked on course for victory when Marcus Forss put them ahead, but goals from Abu Ogogo, Jonson Clarke-Harris and Tony Craig gave Rovers the victory.
And victory was extra sweet because it was their first away win over Wimbledon for more than two years.
Coughlan said: “I thought the character of the team was different class to come from behind again and win 3-1, similar to how we did against Oxford.
“It’s pleasing, it’s nice to come away with 15 points from our first 10 games.
“We are looking for more, we were looking for more, and I think we should have had more if the truth be known.
“We’re not in a bad place, we’re making progress, and things are healthy, looking up and really positive at the football club at this moment in time.”
Forss’ fourth goal in six games put the Dons ahead after 20 minutes.
But Ogogo levelled for the visitors nine minutes later with a smart finish and his first goal since March 2018, and then Forss was sent off for a second yellow card for a foul on Clarke-Harris after earlier being booked for celebrating his goal excessively.
To rub salt into the wounds, Clarke-Harris doubled the lead after 75 minutes to continue his fine season.
It was the on-song striker’s seventh goal of the campaign and also his sixth goal in seven league games as Rovers claimed their first away win against AFC Wimbledon since April 2017.
And then stand-in skipper Craig had the final say when he scored with a close-range header in the 87th minute.
Dons boss Wally Downes said: “It’s my job to lead them through this adversity. They’re professionals, they’ll be disappointed now, but we come in again Monday and we go again with 10 games gone, it’s not even a quarter of the season gone.
“We’re ready to go again, we’ll be battling away, we’ll fight till the end like last season.
“It took us to the 93rd minute to stay up so we’re not worried about having any sort of fight or any battle to stay up we won’t be found wanting if one’s required.”