Dons chief praises his side as they twice come from behind at Mansfield
Johnnie Jackson praised his side’s commitment and desire following their 2-2 draw at Mansfield Town on Saturday afternoon.
The Dons had to come from behind twice against Nigel Clough’s men to earn a point and maintain a seven point gap to the relegation places.
James Tilley, back at then club on loan from Wycombe Wanderers scored the first equaliser before Matt Stevens won and scored a second half penalty to ensure that the South Londoners took a point back home.
Speaking to Wimbledon’s official website, the head coach said “Tough, physically really tough and demanding, obviously the conditions weren’t great. The pitch, because of the rain overnight and certainly before the game where it came down, obviously made the pitch really hard to play on.
“So in light of that, I think it was a really good game. Both teams went for it and tried to win it. Both teams could have won it, both teams could have probably lost it, it’s fair to say, but I’m really pleased with how we dug in in moments when we had to, how we responded twice to go in behind.
“Because that’s not easy to do, especially in these conditions. We got ourselves back from one down and then 2-1 down and then we tried to go and win it, but we had some moments and they had some moments as well where they could win it as well.
“So yeah, pleased with the point, especially given the way that the game went and the conditions today”
Jackson praised his side for coming from behind not once, but twice.
“We spoke in the changing room before the game [about character and resilience], we knew what the game was going to be like because of the conditions,” he said.
“It was about getting your head around that, the mentality to know that it’s probably not going to be the prettiest of games and there’s going to be moments where you have to dig in and they’re going to put you under pressure.
“It’s not going to necessarily be pretty football all the time, there’s times where you’ve got to fight, win duels, defend your box and we’ve done all of that.
“Second-half, I thought we were really good. First-half, they were probably the better side. They probably end up pushing towards the end to try and win it.
“We’ve had a lot of moments there as well. So, yeah, I’m not saying we deserve to win the game, but we’re worthy of our point for sure.”
It’s now goals in back-to-back games for Tilley and Jackson was full of praise for him.
“Tills has been playing really well and he was a bit of an outlet for us in the first-half, probably our only sort of brightish spark really.
“I was disappointed with us in that period, especially the way we started the game, the first 10-15 minutes. I felt they were miles better and they got their goal and sort of the place was up really.
“Then Tills has showed a moment of quality there. We’ve isolated him one-v-one, they try and double up, but he’s still got loads to do – drive inside on his left foot and a great finish.
“So that gave us a way back into the game and perhaps at that stage, they’d been better than us ,but Tills has got that quality and he gave us a way back into it.”
Stevens was the architect of the Dons’ second equaliser. Frazer Blake-Tracey fouled Stevens and the Dons’ top scorer stepped up to convert his fourth goal in as many games.
Jackson said “He never doubts himself.
“You’re on the side, it’s out of your hands. You’re just hoping and praying that he gets it done. He’s a cool, calm head – that’s who you want in that situation.
“Matty’s been really good for us from the spot. I’m not sure he’s missed one yet, his record’s been really good and that’s the man that you want in that situation.”
Image: AFC Wimbledon