Jason Cummings' debut goal gives Town a share of the points at the Cherry Red Records Stadium
Debutante Jason Cummings came off the bench to secure a point for Town after a late equaliser.
Sam Ricketts made a number of changes to his team after the international break allowed players to rest and recuperate. Captain Ollie Norburn made his return in the midfield today after a lengthy injury kept him on the side-lines. Defender Ro-Shaun Williams also made his return from injury and straight back into the starting 11.
Ricketts started new boy Callum Lang up top alongside Daniel Udoh as Shaun Whalley was suspended after receiving a red card at Ipswich two weeks ago. Scott Golbourne and Louis Thompson haven't been named in this week's squad. Stand-in captain Dave Edwards was out of this week's game due to picking up a slight knock.
Norburn got the game underway after he played the ball to Ro-Shaun who played a long ball down the right-wing to find Donald Love and managed to win a throw deep into The Dons' half. Town looked strong, full of energy and started the game with pressure and goal-scoring opportunities.
Town's first major chance was within the first two minutes after Ro-Shaun weaved through Dons' defence on the right and down to the by-line and forced a corner. Goss fired a ball into the box and found a Wimbledon head that was headed onto a teammate and was close to finding the back of the net.
Minutes later, Wimbledon find their feet and come to attack. Joe Pigott found himself through on goal after bringing Max O'Leary off his line. Ethan Ebanks-Landell made his recovery run and blocked Pigott's shot.
Another chance for Town again after Love won a header that fell at the feet of Sean Goss in the middle, Goss played a ball to Norburn and Norburn played a long ball over the top to new striker Callum Lang. Lang chased down the ball but ended up giving away a cheap foul deep in Wimbledon's own half.
Shortly after, O'Leary almost made a mistake after he attempted to roll the ball out to Ro-Shaun down the right. The ball fell short and allowed The Dons to win back possession and they fired a cross into Town's box. Luckily, it was too long and went out of the way of any danger.
Once again, Wimbledon had another good chance after Marcus Forss twisted and turned on the edge of Town's 18-yard-box. Forss managed to fire a shot, but it was scuffed and rolled wide of the goal.
Town produced some good play in the first 20 minutes after Aaron Pierre got the ball back into play with a throw-in finding Norburn and then played it to Udoh. Udoh fired a low, cross ball out to Love, Love touched it first time to Laurent and he managed to force a corner for Town. Goss stepped up to take the corner, but it was headed out, it fell at the feet of Norburn, who shot but Nathan Trott managed to get down and save Norburn's effort.
As the 25-minute mark approached, both teams quickly regrouped and headed towards their dugouts for a drink break. Both teams had plenty of possession, created chances and battled well.
The half-hour mark approached, and Wimbledon had a corner. Anthony Hartigan stepped up to cross in the corner that looked to be flying through the middle of the box. It found the head of Joe Pigott and The Dons took the lead. 1-0.
As half-time was creeping up on us both teams were looking for a goal. Town produced some good football with switching play between the backline and the midfield. However, Wimbledon managed to break and played a through ball towards the front post of O'Leary's goal, the ball was played towards the back post but somehow was put wide of the goal from three yards out.
Wimbledon were still applying the pressure and looking for their second goal as they continued to play high and press Town's back four. As the Dons took a corner it turned into a goalmouth scramble and Goss managed to clear it. The ball fell to Udoh and he began to break down the right. Nesta Guinness-Walker received the first yellow of the game after he pulled on Udoh's shirt and then tripped him up.
Half-time: Wimbledon 1 – 0 Shrewsbury
Town came out for the second half looking strong and not to concede again. After having many chances in the first half, Town looked to finish their chances in the second half.
The first chance of the second half came for Goss. He twisted and turned on the edge and was shown on his right foot. The shot took a deflection and went heading out for a corner. Goss stepped up to take the corner as it was flying towards the back post where Pierre was there and waiting for it, however, he just couldn't reach it.
Goss again, had a really good effort after he smashed a shot just over the bar. Town were looking full of energy and eager for their goal. Town were so close to scoring on many occasions. It was time for Jason Cummings to make his debut after Daniel Udoh made his way off after a good performance.
A long ball over the top, fell to Ryan Giles down the left-wing, Giles crossed the ball to debutante Cummings, and he couldn't miss. From six yards out Cummings placed the ball into the back of Trott's net and bought the scoreline level.
With the play going from one end of the field to the other end, both teams looked as if they were going to get the next goal. Another great chance came for Town five minutes before the end as Cummings found himself one on one with Trott. Dons' captain Will Nightingale made a brilliant recovery run and denied the shot that went out for a corner. Once again, it fell to Cummings who attempted a brilliant overhead kick, but Trott made the effort look an easy save.
With five minutes added on and play being end to end, Town wanted another goal and the winning goal. Laurent could've won the game for Town. After substitute, Brad Walker, broke with the ball in the middle of the field, he had Cummings to his right and Laurent to his left. Walker played Laurent in as he beat his defender, Laurent attempted to curl the ball around Trott but managed to place it wide.
Town return to Montgomery Waters Meadow with one point after an overall good performance at AFC Wimbledon.
AFC Wimbledon: 1 Nathan Trott GK, 2 Luke O'Neill, 5 Will Nightingale (c), 7 Scott Wagstaff, 8 Anthony Hartigan, 15 Marcus Forss, 18 Nesta Guinness–Walker, 21 Ryan Delaney, 30 Paul Kalambayi, 33 Callum Reilly OFF 72, 39 Joe Pigott OFF 78
SUBS: 13 Nik Tzanev GK, 9 Kwesi Appiah on 78, 10 Adam Roscrow, 12 Jack Rudoni, 17 Michael Folivi, 23 Max Sanders ON 72, 37 Paul Osew
Town: 25 Max O'Leary GK, 2 Aaron Pierre, 5 Ro-Shaun Williams, 8 Oliver Norburn (c) OFF 78, 9 Callum Lang OFF 84, 11 Ryan Giles, 17 Donald Love, 23 Daniel Udoh OFF 67, 24 Ethan Ebanks-Landell, 28 Josh Laurent
SUBS: 1 Joe Murphy GK, 6 Omar Beckles, 15 Brad Walker ON 78, 18 Luke McCormick, 35 Jason Cummings ON 67, 20 Steve Morison ON 84, 19 Ryan Barnett
Attendance – 4084 (429 Shrewsbury)
Referee; G Salisbury