DONS ’ HOPES ARE STILL ALIVE
AFC WIMBLEDON manager Neil Ardley rued a ‘woeful’ first-half performance despite his side coming from two goals down to earn an FA Cup first round replay against Bury at Gigg Lane.
A first-half double from Hallam Hope looked set to end a seven-game losing streak for the Shakers.
But goals from Lyle Taylor and substitute Tom Elliott pegged the home side back in the second half.
While Ardley praised the character shown by his players after the break, he made no secret that his team’s first-half display had left a lot to be desired.
“Credit to Bury they came at us first half but we can’t ever play like that again,” said Ardley.
“We looked as though we thought all we had to do was turn up and we’d win.
“We were woeful and way off the mark.
“We were so far off our standards that it didn’t matter who was playing.
“At half time we challenged the players to show a little bit of spirit and keep us in the cup and the players deserve all the credit for the character they showed and the fightback.”
The hosts dominated the first half and Hope gave his side the lead in the 27th minute.
He beat onrushing goalkeeper James Shea to an aerial ball on the edge of the box and lofting into the top corner.
He was at it again barely a minute later latching on to a Zeli Ismail through ball and slotting ruthlessly into the bottom corner.
If the first half was Bury’s, then the second belonged to the visitors.
And Taylor handed his side a lifeline, whipping a superb shot into the top corner from outside the box with half an hour remaining.
The Dons drew level in the 67th minute when substitute Dean Parrett curled in a cross from the right for the towering Elliott to nod past Ben Williams.
Hope had the chance to complete his hat-trick eight minutes from time when he was sent clean through on goal, but his shot was uncharacteristically weak and saved easily by Shea.
Despite surrendering the lead Bury boss David Flitcroft declared himself satisfied with his players and in particular, his goalscorer.
“I can’t fault the players for the effort we put in,” he said.
“We came back into the game in the last 20 minutes and could’ve won it and that’s a positive.
“Hallam Hope looked threatening all game.
“He started the game on the front foot and looked full of energy and running power.
“He caused their two centre halves no end of problems.
“Wimbledon have come up here twice already this season and shown their metal so now we’ll have to go down there and show ours if we want to progress.”