AFC Wimbledon moved into sixth place in the Ryman Premier table with a 1-0 over Leyton that really wasn't as tight as the score line suggests. Although Roscoe Dsane's strike on 83 minutes was ultimately the difference, the Dons created a host of second-half chances, while Leyton had to battle through to the end with 10 men.

Players are coming back from injury at a rate of knots and Dave Anderson is beginning to experience the selection headaches that he's longed for. Wes Daly was rested, replaced by Mark Rooney, and Paul Barnes came in for Darren Grieves. Steve Butler failed a late fitness test but the Dons have plenty of cover and Lee Kersey would return for his first full game at centre half since Burgess Hill. Steve Watson wore the Captain's armband.

The match opened with a couple of early half-chances but Leyton settled first, finding their rhythm and playing some neat one and two touch football. Manny Williams beat Antony Howard in the air to find Bajada, but the tricky front man put his lob over the Tempest end cross bar.

The visitors kept the pressure on, forcing errors and attacking at pace. A mistake from Byron Bubb allowed Loui Fazackerley a shooting opportunity but he scooped his shot well wide of the target. Moments later tall target man Dean Palmer got his head on a dangerous free-kick without finding the requisite accuracy or power. Manny Williams then latched on to another stray pass out of defence testing Andy Little low to his right.

With 15 minutes of the first half remaining the Lilywhites started to lose their early momentum and the Dons found their groove, engineering several good chances to score. Steve Watson's volley was blocked following a clever run and cross from Paul Barnes. Steve Wales then saw the defence open up in front of him but his powerful drive deflected off a Wimbledon player and into the grateful arms of Leyton keeper David Morgan.

The Tempest End was in good voice enjoying the way AFC Wimbledon were discovering ways around Leyton's backline. Suddenly, crosses were raining in. Roscoe Dsane's volley was superbly saved and a rare Byron Bubb header drifted wide. Dsane was inches away from putting the finishing touches on another Barnes delivery and, just seconds later, Morgan was equal to Bubb's snapshot.

Just before the break Mark Rooney missed a golden opportunity to put the Dons in front, meeting Haswell's in-swinger and glancing the ball wide of the far post with no Leyton challenger in sight.

It didn't take long for the second half chances started to start arriving. Paul Barnes rose well for Dsane's cross but couldn't direct his header on target. Then Luke Garrard somehow bundled his way through three defenders before releasing Dsane, but Morgan brilliantly intercepted the striker's low cross.

The hosts continued to dominate the game, foraging down both wings for the killer ball that would break the deadlock. Bubb beat his marker on the left and clipped the ball into the box almost beating the Leyton keeper without meaning to. Lee Kersey even found his way into the action up field, providing a great cross for Roscoe Dsane, but the excellent Morgan thwarted the danger once again.

It was starting to look like another one of those nights at Kingsmeadow where dominance wouldn't be turned into goals. Roscoe Dsane nicked the ball past the onrushing Morgan, but saw the ball creep agonizingly the wrong side of the post.

Then the Dons were presented with a stroke of good fortune. Dsane delievered a pinpoint through-ball for Paul Barnes to gallop after and last line of defence Scott Honeyball hauled the Dons striker down to receive an instant red card.

Dave Anderson responded made immediate changes, bringing Darren Grieves and Wes Daly into the action. Grieves almost made an instant impact causing all sorts of problems from a corner, the ball bobbling around the six yard box in seeming slow motion before Leyton cleared.

On 83 minutes Wimbledon finally made the breakthrough. Roscoe Dsane picked up the ball on the right, running hard at the Leyton defence before cutting inside and driving his left foot shot low past Morgan into the net.

Leyton tried to rally and, with a few minutes remaining, Mark Rooney's withdrawal with an injury left both sides playing with ten men. But the visitors were unable to create a meaningful chance and eventually the referee put the Dons supporters out of their misery with the delightful sound of a final whistle.