2000
Tuesday, 26 December 2000
- Division 1
Selhurst Park
Attendance: 9,245
Ref: L Cable
 
Wimbledon
Damien Francis (50)
1 (0) - (1) 1
Portsmouth
Steve Claridge (45)
13
Aaron Flahavan
4
Shaun Derry
Yellow 40m
6
Darren Moore
9
Steve Claridge
Goal 45m
10
Lee Bradbury
Subbed 7676
11
Ceri Hughes
Subbed 7676
12
Nigel Quashie
16
Thomas Thøgersen
24
Scott Hiley
25
Jason Crowe
Yellow 74m
32
Michael Panopoulos
--
7
Kevin Harper
Sub (11 76m)11-76
18
David Waterman
23
Rowan Vine
36
Chris Tardif
29
Guy Whittingham
Sub (10 76m)10-76

Wimbledon have only one league victory at Selhurst Park and they were only able to stutter to a lacklustre draw against Portsmouth.

Dons boss Terry Burton will be left scratching his head as to why his team can turn on the style away from home but look like a patchy, mid-table side in front of their own supporters.

A 4-0 victory at Tranmere should have been followed by three points at home.

But individual brilliance by Portsmouth player-boss Steve Claridge on the stroke of half-time ensured his team did not leave London empty-handed.

Picking up the ball on the left edge of the penalty area, Claridge looked up and spotted Kelvin Davis off his line and lobbed the ball into the top corner.

Davis looked as though he thought the ball was sailing over but was forced to watch in horror as it dipped under his crossbar.

This effort was the highlight of a dour 45 minutes.

The Dons struggled without Welsh international John Hartson but the elevation to the senior ranks of Patrick Agyemang appeared a gamble that paid off, with the striker a constant menace.

His quick thinking and imaginative ball skills created the Dons equaliser, as he set winger Neal Ardley clear in the 49th minute.

The Wimbledon skipper cut into the box and picked out midfielder Damian Francis, who scored his eighth of the season.

The second half saw the Dons dominate the possession and territory but they could not turn this advantage into goals.

This lack of attacking threat nearly let Portsmouth regain their first-half lead.

First skipper Darren Moore went close with a header and then former Wimbledon player Ceri Hughes failed to connect with a right-wing cross.

The Dons' frustration was summed up in injury time when giant centre-half Mark Williams struck the upright from close range.

If Wimbledon can some how transform their worrying home form they could challenge for a play-off berth, as they currently hold the best away record in the division.