AFC Wimbledon’s winless run continues after draw against Shrewsbury Town

AFC Wimbledon are now winless in nine games as they drew 1-1 against Shrewsbury Town at Plough Lane.

The Dons came into the game off the back of eight straight games without a win in all competitions with the Shrews searching for their first goal since their 4-1 loss to Liverpool in the FA Cup Third Round at the beginning of the month.

Shrewsbury had the brighter start to the game but Ayoub Assal opened the scoring after just 13 minutes, heading the ball past goalkeeper Marko Marosi after a great cross from Ethan Chislett.

In the second half, Daniel Udoh levelled the scoring just before the hour mark as he poked the ball into the net in front of the away support.

The point sees Shrewsbury rise by one spot up to 16th in the table with Wimbledon remaining 20th and one point above Morecambe with a game in hand.

Assal’s aerial prowess gives Wimbledon lead

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Wimbledon have not won a game of football since the beginning of December, and with their league position slipping dangerously close to the relegation zone, they knew a win would be so important.

They struggled in the opening few minutes as the Shrews enjoyed a lot of possession. Despite pressing the visitors high up the pitch, they were unable to create anything in front of goal. Udoh had the first opportunity of the game but he was unable to convert a low ball into the back of the net.

Shrewsbury goalkeeper Marosi had to make a strong challenge outside of the box to prevent the hosts from having a certain goalscoring chance, however, he could not do anything to stop the opener just a minute later. A good run on the right-hand side from Chislett saw the winger’s cross meet the head of the unmarked Assal to give the Dons a 1-0 lead.

The goal saw the hosts finally find their rhythm in the game after a difficult opening few minutes. Paul Osew’s scuffed shot from range fell into the path of Terry Ablade, but he was unable to get onto the end of it. Shrewsbury soon enjoyed a spell of possession themselves, however, Tyrese Fornah’s volley sailed high over the bar and it pretty much summed up their first half.

Wimbledon had a great chance to double their lead on the stroke of half-time. Debutant Lee Brown’s free-kick was sent towards the far post and met by Ben Heneghan who headed it on target, however, the linesman soon raised his flag for offside.

Shrews fight back to end goal drought

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Just three minutes into the second half, the hosts found themselves on the front foot once again. The Dons had a free-kick on the left that was dropped by the goalkeeper, sparking pinball in the box as the Shrews held on to defend their goal, before eventually winning a free-kick.

Nathanael Ogbeta was the next player to have an attempt for the visitors but it failed to threaten Nikola Tzanev in the Wimbledon goal, with Jack Rudoni going inches wide of the post up the other end. Udoh, who is Shrewsbury’s top goalscorer for the campaign, had his first opportunity of the second half as he tried to catch out Tzanev off his line.

Just a minute or so later, he equalised for his side. Some neat play on the right-hand side between Josh Vela and Elliott Bennett resulted in a cross into the feet of Ryan Bowman who laid it off to Udoh. The forward proceeded to poke it past the goalkeeper to score his 11th goal of the season in the process.

Similar to the hosts, the goal saw Shrewsbury step their game up with their star player looking to get a brace after his strong shot from range was well saved. Cries for a Shrews penalty were dismissed by referee Carl Boyeson with Assal breaking down the other end soon but he was unable to successfully play a through ball to continue the attack.

The winger very nearly scored an audacious chip for the Dons, with his looping effort met by Marosi. For the remaining 15 minutes of the game, both sides were looking to snatch a winner, but neither were able to create any clear cut chances as the final whistle sounded with the game ending in a 1-1 draw.

Wimbledon have still been unable to secure a victory since the beginning of 2022 and their winless run has now extended to nine. Shrewsbury will be pleased to have scored their first goal having failed to do so in their previous three matches as well as coming from behind to secure a point.

The Dons will return to Plough Lane on Tuesday evening to face Cheltenham Town with the Shrews hosting Fleetwood Town at New Meadow on Saturday afternoon in their next fixture.

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