DON AND DUSTED FOR SHAYMEN!
FC HALIFAX TOWN 1 AFC Hanson (og) 85 WIMBLEDON 3 Purrington 42, Wordsworth 72, Pigott 75
NATIONAL League side FC Halifax Town were left rue a host of missed chances as League One AFC Wimbledon ended their FA Cup hopes and eased their way into the third round where a potential big gun lies in wait.
The managerless Dons led at half-time thanks to a Ben Purrington strike just before the break, although against the run of play after the Shaymen had created enough opportunties to force their way ahead.
And they were made to pay after the break when two goals in three minutes from Anthony Wordsworth and former Maidstone striker Joe Pigott ensured that a late James Hanson own goal was just consolation.
In defeat, however, Halifax boss Jamie Fullarton was full of praise for his side after knocking out League Two Morecambe in the last round.
“The difference in the two sides was the finishing, they were clinical, and we weren’t,” Fullarton said.
“But we hope that the lads will learn from today and be better players for it.”
Cameron King and Josh Staunton were both guilty of squandering chances for the Shaymen in the first half with Matty Kosylo striking a post with Town’s best chance following a long mazy run from his own half.
The half ended with the home side claiming reward for a penalty after Dayle Southwell appeared to be hauled down in the box but the striker was booked for his protestations when nothing was given by referee Ben Toner.
AFC Wimbledon looked a better side after the break, enjoying more possession of the ball and creating the more chances.
Wordsworth fired a freekick just over while former Dover midfielder Mitch Pinnock twice went close.
In the end, it was Wordsworth who netted the all-important second goal, stepping inside his man before bending a superb effort beyond Sam Johnson.
Three minutes later, the game was over as a contest as striker Pigott grabbed the goal his hard work deserved, finding space in the box and rifling home passed Johnson.
The introduction of substitute Mekhi McLeod gave the home side more momentum – his long-range effort testing Dons keeper Joe McDonnell, who stretched to tip the ball over for a corner.
And he was involved in the move that saw Wimbledon sub Hanson head past his own keeper five minutes from time to give the Shaymen hope.
But unfortunately for the home side the granstand finish failed the materialise, although McLeod gave thwe fans something to cheer with a mazy run down the left and a cross to find the waiting Jonathan Edwards at the far post but the big striker could only find the side netting.
Wimbledon caretaker boss Simon Bassey commented: “The goal before the break made no difference to what I had to say to the lads at halftime, they hadn’t reached the levels we expect of them, we were lucky not to be two or three down. The fact we were a goal to the good was a bonus.”
STAR MAN: Joe Pigott (AFC Wimbledon) ATT: 2,044 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Ben Toner 7/10