Disappointing Royals Go Down To Late Dons Strike

Last updated : 14 September 2002 By Rob Cooper

Wimbledon keeper Kelvin Davis
Wimbledon keeper Kelvin Davis
After dominating the first half the Royals were outplayed by their poorly-supported counterparts in the second half and deserved to lose even if it was in cruel circumstances.

Royals fans will recall the moment when Anthony Rougier appeared to be felled inside the box only for the referee to wave play on but to be fair the Dons had the chances to win by three of four.

Reading recalled Sammy Igoe to the starting line-up, he replaced Nicky Forster who dropped to the bench. Adie Williams returned to the team in place of Matthew Upson who dropped to the bench after a poor showing during his debut in mid-week.

Graeme Murty, who suffered whiplash in a car crash ten days ago, returned to action, coming on as a second half substitute.

The Royals dominated a dour first half but failed to register a single shot on target despite having all the posession.

It was thirty-five minutes before either goalkeeper was called into action, but Hahnemann easily claimed a long-range shot.

The visitors, managed by Stuart Murdoch, came into the game a bit more late in the first half. Well-travelled forward Neil Shipperly should have done better with his two free headers, he failed even to hit the target.

The second half was much improved on the first's poor showing, Neil Shipperly would have opened the scoring shortly after the break had it not been for Marcus Hahnemann's excellent one-handed save.

At the other end of the field Jamie Cureton had his header blocked on the line by a combination of defender and goalkeeper. Jamie just couldn't pounce on the rebound which squirmed round the post.

Just seconds later Wimbledon fed Wayne Gray in on Hahnemann but the skillful forward let the chance go begging, knocking his shot narrowly wide of the left upright.

Cureton had another chance to score, after taking the ball round Kelvin Davis, the Dons goalkeeper, Curo's effort was cleared off the line by Mark Williams.

The Royals brought Rougier on in order to weave some magic and break the deadlock but despite an impressive showing he was unable to do just that. Just after the hour Reading had strong penalty appeals turned down when Rougier was felled.

On the wing John Salako had a shocking game and should have been brought off. Maybe it is time that he has a break from first team football, nothing came off for him, every pass went wayward, every time he got tackled by the first man.

The Dons continued to create chances so in many ways it should have come as no surprise when Nowland played the ball in for McAnuff to ping into the top corner of the net from fifteen yards.

Norwich will provide a massive game for the Royals in midweek, a win is absolutely necessary if Alan Pardew's team are to prove to the doubters that eighth in the league was not a false position.