Dons glee as Appiah days are here again

WALLY DOWNES sees no reason why AFC Wimbledon cannot make more history after his team reached the fourth round for the first time since their reformation.

The old Wimbledon side beat Liverpool 1-0 in 1998 to lift the famous trophy. The new AFC Wimbledon have never got past the third round – until Kewsi Appiah clinched yesterday’s win with a late goal.

Andy Barcham opened the scoring with Anthony Hartigan making it 2-0 to the Dons. Paddy Madden’s 70th-minute effort and Ched Evans’ penalty levelled things up.

But Appiah had the last word and Downes was happy to keep the magic of the cup alive.

He said: “There is a tradition with it. It is probably the biggest giant-killing of all time when they did it.

“I think the country holds Wimbledon in high esteem with the FA Cup as much as the club does.

“There is a connection there and long may it continue.”

When asked if he wants to make more history, he said: “It is only five games away now ... why are you laughing?”

Meanwhile Fleetwood boss Joey Barton was gutted to get knocked out of the competition. He said: “I’ve got no dough now because we are out of the FA Cup! I am back to free transfers.

“I thought I might get my first little bit of transfer fee spent but I am back in the loan market and the bargain bucket again. The FA Cup is big for us and Wimbledon.”

Barton saw his side concede in the 17th minute as Andy Barcham pirouetted in the box before blasting Mitchell Pinnock’s left-wing cross past Alex Cairns.

Fleetwood dominated at the start of the second half, but AFC Wimbledon increased their lead against the run of play just 10 minutes in.

Hartigan’s effort from distance just crept into the bottom corner.

But the game was turned on its head in the 70th minute as Fleetwood netted twice in two minutes.

Madden bundled home Ross Wallace’s set-piece and then Town won a penalty. Evans was fouled in the box and the forward was the calmest man in Highbury as he slotted home the subsequent spot-kick.

But the Dons regained their lead in the dying stages as Appiah drilled the ball home in the 90th minute.