With a hugely impressive win away to promotion chasing Worthing having got the less than impressive 1-0 reverse against Folkestone out of their system, Dave Anderson's troops went into the Slough game looking to cement their status as genuine play-off contenders. And, as the Dons took to the field at The Fans' Stadium for the first time in 2006 before a fine crowd of 2,859, things looked positive. Dave was able to field the same side for the second game in succession - something of a rarity this season - while Chris Gell and Robert Ursell were both deemed fit enough for places on the bench.

However, with 15th-placed Slough scrapping for points, the opening quarter offered little action of note - with Slough winning a couple of corners, but the combined aerial presence of Antony Howard and Steve Butler averting any serious threat.

In fact, the first real attack of the half came from Slough's Alexis whose late challenge on Wes Daly left the Dons man grounded and clutching his thigh. Two minutes later Daly returned the favour and the two men scuffled on the floor, sparking a 12-man brawl in the middle of the home side's half. Once broken up, both players received yellow cards but could count themselves lucky to still be on the pitch.

However, as captain Butler won the drop ball, almost talking out his opposite number in the process, the Dons were suddenly spurred into action. Almost immediately, Smeltz latched on to the last in a series of five headers to guide his own diving header past keeper Masters. However, striker Hodges had tracked back and was able to clear his lines, much to the relief of his on-looking but static defence.

Just as Wimbledon looked to be building up attacking impetus, Daly departed with concussion to be replaced by Gell, who immediately made his presence known with a couple of crunching tackles in the middle of the park and the Dons resumed normal service. On 41 minutes it was Gell who intercepted a Slough break and fed Smeltz down the right, who in turn crossed to the oncoming Barry Moore. Moore's diving header failed to connect cleanly and Masters was able to parry, and his defence cleared their lines. But, before Slough could breathe a sigh of relief, an alert Butler latched on to the clearance and slotted the ball through to Smeltz who beat Masters with a precise first time finish.

The first half ended with an onslaught on Slough's goal in which Masters was forced into two further saves, and the second half began with more attacking football from the Dons. On 52 minutes the probing reaped dividends when Smeltz fed Butler for the Player of the Year to beat the keeper neatly from close range.

At the point the Dons looked to be cruising, and when Slough pulled one back with a fantastic long-range effort from the impressive Gareth McCleary, it looked to be against the run of play.

But Slough were spurred on and, as the fans became jittery, so too did the players. Finnie - being given a torrid time by McCleary - was replaced by Sohiby as Howard moved out wide to deal with the danger. But before the substitute had time to settle, he found McCleary running at him with pace, and Hodges applied the finishing touch to his cross to bring the visitors level.

By the time Ursell replaced Plummer on the right wing in a bid to steal the game, the Dons had endured ten minutes of torment. However, Ursell almost made an immediate impact, creating chances for Smeltz and Butler before having a go himself from 25 yards.

But it wasn't to be, and Dave Anderson and his players will be left to reflect on a mad ten minutes that ultimately saw the Dons drop two points that had looked to be in the bag.