Match ends, AFC Wimbledon 1, Walsall 0.
WimbledonAFC Wimbledon1WalsallWalsall0
Lyle Taylor grabbed the only goal of the game as AFC Wimbledon beat Walsall to record a first win in eight matches in all competitions.
The Dons came into the match without a victory since beating Oxford on January 14, a run that started with their 3-1 FA Cup defeat at home to Sutton three days later.
But Taylor's 12th goal of the season was enough to earn them all three points in this game as Walsall suffered a first defeat in three games.
Home goalkeeper James Shea stopped Walsall full-back Jason McCarthy's fierce drive, while Dons midfielder Tom Soares was inches away from scoring in a first half low on chances.
Dannie Bulman forced Neil Etheridge into a brilliant full-stretch save after the restart as the Dons pushed for the victory.
And Taylor gave the Dons three points with a cool finish at the second attempt to finally get the hosts' season back on track.
The striker completely missed the ball at the first attempt, before burying his second effort from 12 yards.
Tom Elliott missed a good chance to double the lead in the 89th minute and almost paid the price as Walsall came close to a late leveller.
Shea batted O'Connor's shot off the line before visiting substitute Scott Laird hit the bar in the 90th minute, but Wimbledon deservedly hung on for the win.
Match report supplied by the Press Association.
Line-ups
Wimbledon
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Shea
- 7FrancombBooked at 90mins
- 32Charles
- 6Robinson
- 22Kelly
- 8ReevesBooked at 64mins
- 4Bulman
- 14Soares
- 17Barcham
- 9Elliott
- 33TaylorSubstituted forPoleonat 83'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Nightingale
- 10Poleon
- 18Parrett
- 19Fitzpatrick
- 23Barnett
- 24McDonnell
- 31Owens
Walsall
Formation 3-5-2
- 1Etheridge
- 32O'Connell
- 4O'Connor
- 16PrestonSubstituted forBakayokoat 73'minutes
- 5McCarthy
- 14OsbourneBooked at 76mins
- 7Chambers
- 11Morris
- 2EdwardsSubstituted forLairdat 86'minutes
- 10Oztumer
- 9Jackson
Substitutes
- 3Laird
- 6Dobson
- 13MacGillivray
- 18Randall-Hurren
- 20Bakayoko
- 24Roberts
- 44Moussa
- Referee:
- John Busby
- Attendance:
- 4,586
Match Stats
Home TeamWimbledonAway TeamWalsall
- Possession
- Home55%
- Away45%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away3
- Corners
- Home7
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, AFC Wimbledon 1, Walsall 0.
Post update
Corner, AFC Wimbledon. Conceded by Neil Etheridge.
Post update
Attempt saved. Tom Elliott (AFC Wimbledon) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Post update
Scott Laird (Walsall) hits the bar with a left footed shot from the centre of the box.
Post update
Attempt saved. James O'Connor (Walsall) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Post update
Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Darius Charles.
Post update
Attempt missed. Tom Elliott (AFC Wimbledon) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Post update
Dannie Bulman (AFC Wimbledon) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Erhun Oztumer (Walsall).
Substitution
Substitution, Walsall. Scott Laird replaces Joe Edwards.
Post update
Tom Elliott (AFC Wimbledon) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Eoghan O'Connell (Walsall).
Substitution
Substitution, AFC Wimbledon. Dominic Poleon replaces Lyle Taylor.
Post update
Tom Soares (AFC Wimbledon) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Kieron Morris (Walsall).
Post update
Foul by Lyle Taylor (AFC Wimbledon).
Post update
Joe Edwards (Walsall) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Booking
Isaiah Osbourne (Walsall) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Jake Reeves (AFC Wimbledon) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
