Downes hails match-winner Pigott and ‘gutsy’ AFC Wimbledon

Posted Wednesday, February 20, 2019 by PA

Wally Downes admitted he could not watch as hat-trick hero Joe Pigott held his nerve to earn a 4-3 win over Rochdale.

Manager Downes paid tribute to his never-say-die troops, who twice came from behind to snatch three points in the most dramatic of circumstances as Pigott converted their first penalty of the season in stoppage time.

“It was a terrific game and I’m delighted for the 140-odd fans who travelled up here,” said Downes.

“We’re in the kind of position where draws are not much use to us. They help keep the morale up because it means you’re not getting beaten, but really we need to be winning games. We’ve just started a little run now and hopefully we can keep it going.

“The result at Walsall last week was probably the springboard then we played well in the FA Cup at the weekend and were keen to take that into tonight’s game.

“There are some game kids in this side, they give it their all. We need to eliminate some mistakes made through inexperience, but we were gutsy enough to come back.

“I can’t watch penalties, but I could see Joe was calm and composed – not like me!”

Dale started off well, taking the lead two minutes in through Ethan Ebanks-Landell. Pigott levelled on 36 minutes but the home side were in front again within a minute when Ethan Hamilton fired home.

The Dons levelled again seconds into the second half when Pigott turned home Toby Siddick’s cross and they took the lead for the first time when Anthony Wordsworth slotted past Andy Lonergan on 76 minutes.

Ian Henderson looked to have grabbed a point for Dale five minutes later when he converted after Matt Done’s shot was saved by Aaron Ramsdale.

But when teenager Luke Matheson fouled Steve Seddon in time added on, the stage was set for Pigott to complete his treble and round off a dramatic contest.

“From a neutral perspective I thought it was a great game, there was some good football played by both sides and even though there was a lot riding on it for both sides I didn’t see a lot of stress in the play,” said Dale boss Keith Hill.

“There were too many defensive mistakes. We picked a side to score goals and I was encouraged by the way that we attacked, but I’m disappointed with the individual errors we’ve made defending.

“It was a game we could have won but the opposition have take all three points so we have to pick ourselves up and go again on Saturday.

“The penalty in the dying seconds was controversial but a difficult one to call for the referee. I thought we’d committed too many bodies forward but when you are in the position we are, you are trying to win the game. We shouldn’t be conceding goals like that.”