Keane kills off plucky Wombles to thrill Leam

WILL KEANE scored the decisive goal to maintain Wigan’s promotion push as they saw off a tricky AFC Wimbledon side.

Keane’s 18th goal of the campaign was the difference between the two sides.

The visitors came back into it and were pushing at the end after Max Power went off with a badly dislocated finger – after Wigan had made all three subs.

But the home side held on and moved to within four points of leaders Rotherham.

“I think before the game, if anyone had thought it was going to be easy, they wouldn’t have known about the competitiveness of the league,” said Latics boss Leam Richardson.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game, they’re a good side and they’re coached very well.

“But it’s a very pleasing outcome – a clean sheet and three points, but we did have chances to put the game to bed and take control.

“But I have to congratulate the lads in and out of possession, and we are more than pleased.”

The home side suffered a blow early on when Glen Rea – making his full league debut for the club – went down with no-one around him. After carrying on, he had to admit defeat and limped off, to be replaced by Tom Bayliss.

Wigan almost led when Wimbledon couldn’t deal with a Joe Bennett corner, and Stephen Humphrys flicked the ball against the bar.

But the opening goal did arrive after 21 minutes, with Bayliss unlocking the door. He tried his luck from 25 yards, and Wimbledon keeper Nik Tzanev could only parry the ball out into the path of Keane, who converted from close range.

Bennett saw a freekick tipped over, while a good save from Ben Amos denied Luke McCormick at the start of the second half. Wimbledon edged the second period without really hammering on the door.

This made it 16 games without a win for Wimbledon, but manager Mark Robinson said: “It’s the media’s job, and the negative fans’ job, to keep going on about it.

“But it’s still only seven losses, and there’s still nine teams who have lost more games than us.

“If we’d have had more quality when it mattered, we might have nicked an equaliser.”