Owls held after throwing away two-goal lead

Wednesday threw away another two points in a 2-2 draw at AFC Wimbledon this afternoon.

We looked comfortable, well as comfortable as we ever can be at two-up, then missed two excellent chances to put the game beyond the home side and paid the price as they clawed their way back to score twice in the final 23 minutes.

The hugely disappointing outcome leaves us level with sixth-placed MK Dons on 19 points but six behind joint leaders Plymouth and Wycombe and with this latest setback including yet another crucial late goal from the opposition.

We had taken the lead in style on 13 minutes, Lee Gregory curling the ball home from the edge of the box after an excellent through ball from Barry Bannan

The home side threatened soon afterwards when Joe Wildsmith, who seemingly took a knock early on as he failed to deal with a high ball, missed a free kick to the far post from Anthony Hartigan but the ball crept wide.

However, it was Wednesday who looked more likely to score again, Callum Paterson testing NikĀ  Tzanev in the home goal with a first-timer from 15 yards after good work by Gregory.

Lewis Wing failed to get enough power on a header after another good Wednesday move while Jack Rudoni nodded wide at the other end after outjumping Liam Palmer at the far post.

The Owls,, who had four shots on target in the first period while Wimbledon failed to muster one, created another opening just before half time as they looked to double the lead.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru made the most of an overplayed Lewis Wing pass, pressuring the home defence to win the ball and cut inside, only to shoot just wide after having done all the hard work.

Jaden Brown headed wide when he should have scored soon after the restart but was ruled offside anyway before Wimbledon had their first effort on target on 55 minutes, Wildsmith saving comfortably from Ayoub Assal when he was left unmarked at the far post

However, we looked firmly in the driving seat on the hour when Wing was pushed by Paul Kalambayi in the box and Gregory stepped up to slot home the penalty.

Then came those two great openings in the space of two minutes to surely seal the victory. First, Dele-Bashiru burst into the penalty area but his heavy touch allowed keeper Tzanev to block and then Wing fired over from 12 yards when he should have at least hit the target.

Predictably, we were made to pay for not taking those two opportunities, Wimbledon getting themselves back into the game a minute later when Wildsmith pushed out a shot from Aaron Pressley and Nesta Guinness-Walker blasted home the loose ball.

Even then, keeper Tzanev saved from Saido Berahino and Lee Gregory but the home side had clearly gained in confidence after reducing the arrears, while Wednesday looked distinctly uncomfortable as the pressure increased.

And the equaliser came just five minutes from the end of normal time, Luke McCormick crossing to the far post and Rudoni losing the attentions of Brown to net at the far post and earn Wimbledon a share of the points.

Wildsmith, Hunt, Iorfa, Dunkley, Palmer, Dele-Bashiru (Berahino 70), Bannan, Wing, Brown, Paterson, Gregory. Unused subs: Peacock-Farrell, Johnson, Corbeanu, Shidipo, Sow, Kamberi.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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