MAY PILES PAIN ON ROBINSON
MARK Robinson wants his AFC Wimbledon team to sharpen up in the final third after they again went down, this time at home to Cambridge.
It was the Dons’ fifth straight League defeat that stretches their winless run to 20, the last coming against Accrington Stanley on December 7.
Adam May’s glorious bending strike was the difference immediately after half-time and, although AFC Wimbledon had plenty of territory, they only managed one shot on target.
“It wasn’t like we never got into any forward areas in the second half. But when we did get in, there was just a massive lack of quality in everything we did,” said boss Robinson.
“I don’t believe there is a lack of ability because when you’re feeling you’re not the greatest mentally, even the best players in the country can look poor.”
Asked about his future after AFC Wimbledon’s board backed him in midweek, Robinson reaffirmed his commitment.
He said: “If I felt that I’ve lost the players, I wouldn’t be here because the club’s the most important thing.
“There’s a reason why managers’ lifespan lasts 16 months on average across the board, because football is a knee-jerk industry and people get sacked and they don’t get a chance to build things.
“It’s immensely difficult, but I’m just doing my best to deal with the situation.”
After a slow opening 35 minutes, the home side almost found the breakthrough as Anthony Hartigan’s dinked cross found the head of Derick Osei Yaw, but he headed just wide.
Five minutes later, Dons defender Paul Osew nearly caught out Nik Tzanev with a risky chest-back.
Within a minute of the restart, May gathered the ball outside the box and bent a glorious strike past Tzanev, whose fingertips couldn’t direct it past the far post.
AFC Wimbledon’s best chance fell to Dons’ Sam Cosgrove on the hour mark, but his turn and shot was deflected over.
Cambridge nearly doubled their lead through Sam Smith, but for a brilliant improvised clearance by Ben Heneghan.
Despite a late Wimbledon push, Cambridge held on to banish any lingering doubts of relegation.
Cambridge boss Mark Bonner was delighted with his side’s performance, especially after their coach was delayed on the way down to south London.
“We had a horrible start to the day. It took us about three and a half hours to get here. So it was just chaos and just a rush from start to finish,” he said.
“So a tough day, but to get the result was great and it was great to celebrate it with our support at the end.”