AFC Wimbledon rounded off a successful Christmas and New Year programme achieving 10 points out of 12 thanks to a hard fought deserved win on their bogey ground of Hayes Lane, Bromley.

Forced into changes due to both Antony Howard and Chris Gell suffering heavy colds, the Dons were able to welcome back Mark Rooney's experience in midfield and Lee Kersey's strength in defence.

Up against ex Dons Barry Moore and Byron Bubb, the Dons looked confident from the off, playing with the wind and driving rain. Moore though had the game's first chance, forcing Andy Little to save at his feet in the opening stages.

With their first attack in the 5th minute, the Dons took the lead. Scott Fitzgerald's flick sent Lewis Cook flying down the left wing. His cross was slightly behind Roscoe Dsane but the Dons' leading scorer easily slide the ball in from close range.

It was soon apparent that the side that made best use of the conditions would prevail and the Dons were clever as they mixed strength in defence with quality passing football in midfield.

Whilst home keeper Andy Walker struggled under high balls and crosses in the swirling wind, his opposite number Little managed clearances that constantly drove the home defence back into their own penalty area.

Loan star Paul Lorraine was manfully marshalling the Dons defence in the absence of Butler and Howard and on the half hour, one of his clearances set up an excellent chance. Fitzgerald picked up a loose ball when Dsane was tackled, only for Walker to dive full length to deny the Brentford loanee his fourth goal in as many days.

Alas Fitzgerald's next contribution to the game was to be his last. Chasing another monster Little clearance, Fitzgerald was bundled over by Bromley defender Donal O'Sullivan as he bore down on goal. The referee deemed this a foul and penalty and thus having prevented a goal scoring opportunity, O'Sullivan was given his marching orders.

Whilst home fans and players raged, Dsane dispatched the penalty calmly to Walker's right, giving the Dons a deserved two-goal cushion on 41 minutes. Fitzgerald alas succumbed to the shoulder injury inflicted by O'Sullivan and was replaced by Stephen Goddard close to the interval.

Byron Bubb's most notable contribution came when he too was then substituted, as the home side tried desperately to shore up their defence.

Bromley recently acquired Steve Watts from Fisher but the much-travelled striker looked innocuous in the first half. He almost pulled a goal back soon after the restart though, with only a last ditch block from Kersey saving the Dons.

Despite now playing into the wind, the Dons were rampant on the break, with Mark Rooney and Lewis Cook catching the eye. Within the first 10 minutes of the second half, Cook and Goddard both had shots just inches wide of goal.

The 10 men of Bromley seemed fairly clueless about how best to break down the best defence in the league (at present), resorting to hopeful punts forward. Indeed it was only the continued brilliance of Walker in the home goal in foiling Goddard, Dsane and Wes Daly in the second half that kept the score down.

Finally with time ebbing away, Bromley's first effort on goal in the 85th minute brought them a goal. Steve Watts met a corner with a good downward header that was bundled in by Boot from a suspiciously offside looking position.

The Dons were not to be denied their deserved reward for a sterling performance however. With time almost up, Dsane burst through the home defence again and played in Goddard for a neat chipped shot over Walker.

A 3-1 victory over one of their promotion rivals was well deserved on the night and may well show players, fans and opponents alike exactly how much there is to come from this Dons squad as we move towards the business end of the season.