ADamien Francis volley two minutes from time earned Wimbledon a 1-0 win in a pulsating First Division match at Barnsley.

Both sides could have wrapped up the victory long before Francis struck but were guilty of missing several clear chances.

Barnsley began the match the brighter with some flowing passing moves but could not capitalise on their chances.

As early as the 10th minute Robert Gier brought down Lee Jones on the edge of the area and was booked.

Neil Maddison, on loan from Middlesbrough, put the resulting free-kick high over the Dons' bar.

Wimbledon had their fair share of chances with John Hartson and Marcus Gayle both missing.

Gayle headed off target from a Trond Andersen cross while Hartson had an effort saved by the legs of Kevin Miller.

Missed opportunities

After 34 minutes Adie Moses replaced Carl Regan for Barnsley after he had taken a knock.

Alan Kimble and Mateo Corbo then tangled going for a 50-50 ball but neither were badly injured.

Towards the end of the half Hartson missed another opportunity when he could not connect with a Gayle cross, while in injury time Mike Sheron had a shot beaten out by Dons keeper Kelvin Davis.

The second half began just as brightly with Maddison shooting inches wide.

He then hit the bar when it looked easier to score after a Corbo drive had been deflected into his path.

Dean Blackwell and Par Karlsson replaced Gier and Jonathan Hunt at the break for Wimbledon but neither had an immediate impact.

Then it was Wimbledon's turn to attack and some good work on the right by Hartson deserved better from Francis, who ballooned the ball over.

Pendulum swings

The pendulum then swung Barnsley's way and it looked certain Corbo would give the home side the lead but his shot was cleared off the line by Mark Williams.

Back came Wimbledon but Karlsson could only fire over from a Francis pull back.

In the 71st minute former England international Geoff Thomas replaced Maddison and on 77 minutes Alex Neil came on for Corbo.

The final few minutes was a flurry of end-to-end chances with both sides going close and Barnsley's Lee Jones firing across the six-yard box, while Thomas and Robin van der Laan also had shots blocked.

Then, just as it looked as though the game was heading for a goalless draw, Francis popped up with the winner via a firmly-hit volley from 15 yards.

[ --- news.bbc.co.uk]