Dons Sunk At The Death

..but manager Downes salutes troops after 'devastating' defeat

- John Lyons

PROUD manager Wally Downes hailed the efforts of his AFC Wimbledon players despite succumbing to a heartbreaking defeat at table-topping Coventry on Tuesday night.

The Dons have endured a frustrating start to the season and went into the St Andrew’s showdown without a win from their opening eight games.

However, it looked as though they might shock the Sky Blues when Brentford loanee Marcus Forss scored from the spot on eight minutes after Liam Walsh brought down Michael Folivi.

Ex-Coventry loanee Folivi headed over from six yards as the Dons went in search of a second. However, Mark Robins’ men have proved their resilience this term and they were level on 27 minutes when Jordy Hiwula coolly netted from a tight angle.

Atoned

It still looked as though the visitors would earn a precious point until deep in stoppage time. Walsh atoned for giving the spot-kick away by drilling the winner past keeper Nathan Trott.

“I’m devastated for the boys because they really put a shift in,” lamented Downes. “They executed what we asked them to do with the way we played and I felt we were worthy of getting something from the game. I was proud of the performance.”

Ipswich remained second following a hard-fought 1-0 victory at MK Dons. Jon Nolan sidefooted home the winner in the 12th minute.

Delighted Tractor Boys boss Paul Lambert said: “We started really well and should have been more than a goal up. It was a well-worked goal and well taken.