The Dons returned to the league exactly where they left off before the FA Cup & Trophy hiatus, by notching a narrow win in a touch match away to Harrow Borough.

Taking to the sloping field of Earlsmead , South Harrow on a blustery afternoon, the AFC Wimbledon side featured two changes to the team that beat Tonbridge Angels. Antony Howard returned to the back four alongside Sweeney, Kersey and Haswell whilst Jermaine Darlington made a first start, playing left midfield, with Steve Butler and Byron Bubb dropping to the bench. With both reserve keepers indisposed, the Dons went in without a back up stopper, for the first time since that infamous semi final at Sutton.

It was the Dons who made light of the wind to force the pace early on - indeed a snap shot from Paul Barnes inside the first minute meant home keeper Jimmy needed to be alert straightaway. It was Barnes who quickly showed a clean set of heels to the home defence once again in the 5th minute but he stumbled and lost control in the area when clear on goal.

All the early action seemed concentrated in the home team's defensive third and keeper Jimmy was again called in action inside the first 10 minutes. Darlington showed good alertness to latch onto a long throw from Barnes and force Jimmy to parry his left foot shot.

Following such a promising start, a goal for the Dons seemed likely but in fact the game died off very quickly, with Harrow reasserting themselves in midfield. It took until the half hour for the Boro to manage any efforts on target, but when they did Dons keeper Andy Little pulled off an excellent one handed save from McGonigle's header.

With the exception of Steve Wales being booked for a foul, little else happened until close to the break. Midfield fulcrum Luke Garrard must have thought he'd broken the deadlock when his 43rd minute freekick evaded everyone in the area, only for the ball to rebound to safety off the post with the keeper beaten.

As the second period began, it was clear that the home side's main tactic to break the deadlock was to pass to free running left winger Albert Ademar. Simon Sweeney did a reasonable job sheperding him away from danger, despite the Harrow manager's insistence that Albert be given possesion on every occasion.

With Harrow otherwise moving the ball over midfield at every opportunity, the little football on display was being played by the Dons. Roscoe Dsane and Paul Barnes are being to forge a useful partnership and a neat one-two between them saw keeper Jimmy save at Dsane's feet on 56 minutes.

The Dons hadn't been able to establish much control in midfield and strikers Barnes and Dsane had often been forced to look for the ball in wide areas and create chances for themselves. A game that lacked much quality was instantly livened up by the introduction of Darren Greives for Steve Wales close to the hour mark.

Greives missed a decent chance when placing a header over with virtually his first touch and his presence allowed Barnes to move to the right wing. This provided not only good swift defensive cover but also a useful source of crosses. Greives was also booked after an alteraction with a Boro defender, who took offensive to being caught in possession by the bald striker.

Steve Watson had also been booked before being replaced on 74 minutes by Wes Daly and Daly's introduction proved the turning point. Daly's first touch was a goal bound effort that drew concerted shouts for handball when blocked close in and soon after Daly set Barnes flying away down the right wing. Barnes had the speed of thought and presence of mind to thread a delicious ball into the ball of Dsane who smashed it past Jimmy to put the Dons one up on 76 minutes.

With Garrard now controlling midfield against a tired Boro outfit, the rest of the game saw the Dons dominate and yet somehow not manage a second goal. Garrard sent a long range effort just wide and Daly ended an excellent passing move with a half volley that fizzed just over.

In the closing moments, fans' favourite Greives managed to somehow miss from virtually on the line. When another Garrard freekick was fumbled by keeper Jimy straight to Greives, he hit his first effort straight at the keeper and then sent the second rebound somehow wide, with the goal gaping.

Despite not being able to notch a second, the Dons saw the game out comfortably to move within 4 points of leaders Bromley and keep the pressure up on a very congested top 6.

https://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/1024033.borough-falls-dons/