AFC Wimbledon's hearts broken in clash with hated MK Dons
Ten years may have passed, but emotions ran high as AFC Wimbledon were dramatically beaten 2-1 by sworn enemies MK Dons in their FA Cup second-round tie yesterday.
MK Dons, the "franchise club" accused of stealing Wimbledon's birthright, booked their place in the third round in injury time when Jon Otsemobor flicked home an outrageous back-heeled winner.
"I've got mainly pride," Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley told the BBC. "Pride for the players. We worked hard on a game plan and we felt it was the best way we could cause an upset.
"My main fear was not doing the fans proud and I can sit here now, despite hurting from the defeat, and say we did that."
For all the hype, the match between the club relocated from Wimbledon a decade ago and the fan-owned upstarts who rose from the ashes struggled to live up to expectations.
A big police presence ensured calm off the pitch, although visiting fans streamed onto the pitch after Wimbledon's equaliser.
Stephen Gleeson's superb long-range strike put MK Dons in front on the stroke of half-time. The League One club missed chances before Jack Midson headed home on the hour mark.
There looked like there would be no winner before Otsemobor nonchalantly stuck out his heel to guide the ball into the top-right corner and break AFC Wimbledon's hearts again.
