AFC Wimbledon overpowered their Midlands opponents, in an exciting FA Cup match featuring goalmouth action, good attacking football and a few comedy moments. Supported by a vibrant and enthusiastic crowd, and led brilliantly by Steve Watson's marshalling of the midfield, Byron Bubb and substitute Paul Barnes found the net in each half to send the Dons through to the draw for the fourth qualifying round.

It was an accomplished performance by Wimbledon, whose better use of possession and patience in midfield created more openings than Evesham. Despite the persistent running of tricky winger Anthony Robinson, the visitors failed to find a decisive touch in the box. Indeed, Evesham will feel that they should have capitalised better on the few chances they did have.

But it was Bubb who showed excellent vision and control on the edge of the box after only eight minutes, picking up an awkwardly bouncing ball with his chest and firing a looping half volley past the stranded Nathan Vaughan. Wimbledon had looked increasingly dangerous early on, looking to impose their authority on the game with Daly, Bubb and Dsane supporting each other well in and around the box. The home support soon came to life and with Evesham showing tenacity and good movement in the counter-attack, began to create the perfect FA Cup atmosphere.

Much of the first half was dictated by Wimbledon's good use of the pitch's width, and Steve Wales in particular caused problems in stretching their opponents back four. When Daly or Bubb weren't occupied in pressuring Evesham on the edge of their box, Wales was marshalling the right wing well, delivering some excellent crosses for Darren Grieves. The striker tested the strength of defender Steven Hands on many occasions. With quarter of an hour gone, a towering header from the target man flashed just wide of Vaughan's left-hand post.

However, it was a moment of freakish comedy that saw Evesham pull level with one of the strangest goals seen yet at The Fan's Stadium. With Wimbledon comfortably in the ascendancy, Little played the ball into the path of Haswell. The young left-back found Simon Fitter bearing down quickly on the loose ball. Sliding desperately to retrieve the situation, he succeeded only in cannoning his challenge strongly off the foot of the Evesham midfielder. Andy Little, looking on helplessly, could do nothing but watch the deflected ball roll back past him into the middle of an unguarded net. It was 1-1 and Evesham barely deserved it.

Nonetheless, extra confidence soon showed in the visitors' play, and for the first time in the fixture, they had Wimbledon on the back foot with some clever passing in and around the box. Half an hour in, Little tipped a good header from Mark Owen over the bar, and it seemed that added pressure from crosses might turn the fixture. However, despite Luke Garrard's lapse in concentration from a free-kick that released Robinson into the Dons' box, the home side showed excellent resolve in the tackle. Steve Butler typically led well from the back, and the few chances that had been carved out by Evesham in the final 15 minutes of the half were faced with a wall of defenders each time. Wimbledon could have extended their lead going into the break, first through Bubb's low cross from the left, and Wales from the opposite wing, but the visitors held out well to keep the scores level.

The second half saw yet more chances created for both sides, and Evesham looked likely to take the advantage early on when Little saved well from a one-on-one with substitute Grant Pinkney. But Wimbledon continued to show more adventure coming forward, with Roscoe Dsane finding extra space in the box to set up a couple of half chances for Wes Daly and Wales, who continued to impress roaming in from the right side.

The early exchanges featured some clattering challenges as both sides tried to impress their authority on the game, but it was the substitution of Darren Grieves just under an hour in that proved crucial. Paul Barnes jogged on in his place and instantly showed a good turn of pace, combining well with Byron Bubb on the left before sealing the tie for Wimbledon with an accurate header from a Wales cross barely minutes after coming on to the pitch.

The visitors stumbled slightly after this setback, and could not pressurise a resolute Wimbledon defence into errors. Garrard and Haswell pushed up and supported well in searching for an extra goal that could win the tie. Both Dsane and Bubb went close with spectacular efforts within minutes of each other, but the Evesham goal was well protected and the home side knew that chances would have to be taken in order to avoid a nervy final 25 minutes.

As a succession of chances went begging, the home fans' nerves were finally calmed as the referee pointed to the spot, Bubb going down heavily after a reckless challenge from behind. Dsane stepped up confidently, but his effort was well saved by the trailing left hand of Vaughan as he dived to the right.

Ultimately, Wimbledon proved that their good defensive record at home could be the basis for a more confident attacking performance, displaying more fight and control when it was necessary across the pitch. Evesham were worthy and capable opponents, but even with the comic addition of goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan in the Wimbledon box for a late free-kick, could not capitalise on their few chances. Eventually, Wimbledon's persistence paid off, and they displayed greater stamina and agility in closing this game out.