Football: IWELUMO DASHES DONS

DONS boss Stuart Murdoch launched a scathing attack on his side after Stoke sub Chris Iwelumo rescued a point two minutes from time.

The hosts looked set to clinch their seventh win in nine games when David Connolly ran onto Neil Shipperley's flick to fire past Steve Banks on 82 minutes.

But Iwelumo converted fellow sub Jurgen Vandeurzen's cross six minutes later to deny the home side a much-needed victory.

It takes Wimbledon's miserable defensive record to just one clean sheet from their last 18 League games, and Murdoch fears their poor defending could cost them their chance of promotion.

Murdoch said: "I know its Christmas but that was bloody ridiculous. We will struggle to challenge if we continue to give points away like that.

"I'm not sure whether it's just nervousness about losing a goal but we just can't seem to keep clean sheets.

"We've got experienced players in the team so we can't blame it on the fact we have some youngsters in the side. It's a whole team effort to make sure nothing gets past Kelvin Davis, but I didn't see that today.

"We should be shutting up shop. I doubt they've learnt their lesson and it doesn't seem to be sinking in.

"They are kicking themselves in the dressing room. They know what they should have done and they are all feeling very sheepish. We should have won that game at least 1-0."

While Murdoch put much of the blame on his team's defending, strikers Shipperley and Connolly missed a hatful of chances which really should have put Wimbledon out of sight.

Iwelumo's late strike did ensure it's going to be a happier Christmas for Stoke boss Tony Pulis, even though he's still searching for his first win since taking charge of the side.

Pulis said: "We've worked hard over the last few weeks and we have played some good stuff at times, but we are a little bit short.

"We need people to come in sooner rather than later. We just need a bit of experience and quality, but unfortunately they cost money."

MAN OF THE MATCH PETER HANDYSIDE

Was a colossus at the back.

WIMBLEDON: Davis 6, Hawkins 6, Williams 7, Leigertwood 7, Darlington 6, Reo-Coker 6, Francis 6, Andersen 6, McAnuff 6, Shipperley 6, Connolly 6.

STOKE: Banks 7, Hall 6, HANDYSIDE 8, Shtaniuk 7, Marteinsson 6, Neal 6, O'Connor 6, Henry 6, Gudjonsson 6, Cooke 6, Hoekstra 6.

MANAGER RATINGS: Murdoch 6; Pulis 6.

REFEREE: S Baines 6.

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