Football | Luton Town 1 - 0 AFC Wimbledon

AFC Wimbledon edged out by Luton in narrow defeat

The Dons produced a resolute display on their return to League One, but left Kenilworth Road empty-handed after a narrow defeat.

Author | Kris Stuart

Stadium | Kenilworth Road

In their first third-tier outing since 2022, the Dons delivered a disciplined defensive performance reminiscent of the 25 clean sheets recorded during last season’s campaign. For much of the contest, they kept their hosts at bay, limiting Luton to few clear chances.

The decisive moment came through misfortune rather than design. Ryan Johnson’s attempted clearance struck his own crossbar before bouncing over the line, a cruel own goal that went firmly against the run of play.

Despite the loss, there was much encouragement to be taken from the display. Wimbledon more than held their own against a Luton side who were playing Premier League football as recently as 2023.

A closer look at what happened

The visitors made their presence felt from the outset, applying pressure high up the pitch with the physical midfield selected by Jackson. Play-off final hero Myles Hippolyte was among those disrupting play and winning back possession, carving out occasional openings on the break.

As the first half wore on, keeping debutant goalkeeper Alex Bishop untested became an increasingly difficult task. Luton forward Nahki Wells frequently found pockets of space and looked poised to break through until Joe Lewis brought him down, earning the game’s first booking.

Chances were at a premium for Wimbledon, who failed to register a single effort on goal in the opening 45 minutes. The travelling support remained in fine voice, cheering even the award of a corner, though the resulting delivery drifted harmlessly over everyone in the box.

Despite their lack of attacking threat, it was arguably Wimbledon who went into the interval the more content. The newly promoted side showed signs of defensive organisation that will have pleased Jackson, even if the action at the other end left plenty to be desired.

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The start of the second half offered further encouragement. Wimbledon began to spend more time in Luton’s half, albeit still without troubling goalkeeper Josh Keeley.

Bishop, meanwhile, was enjoying a composed debut. Just after the hour, he dealt well with an acrobatic volley from Reuell Walters, the Luton full-back catching it sweetly but finding Bishop equal to the task.

Wimbledon’s attacking efforts lacked finesse more than endeavour. When a chance did emerge, it was never quite seized. With 20 minutes remaining, debutant Josh Orsi was introduced for last season’s top scorer Matty Stevens, who had toiled hard with little reward.

Luton’s frustrations began to show, and Wimbledon grew into the contest. A first shot arrived in the 78th minute when a set piece found Lewis at the far post, but his effort was sliced well wide.

Then, with just four minutes remaining, Wimbledon’s evening took a cruel twist. A cross aimed at substitute Cauley Woodrow instead met the head of Ryan Johnson, who in trying to clear could only glance it past Bishop and into his own net.