Aboggy pitch and some whistle-happy refereeing resulted in a game of few chances as the Dons had enough in the tank to overcome Dorking. There were few clear-cut chances for either side and it always seemed as though it would take a set piece to break the deadlock.

The Dons enjoyed territorial and possessional advantage and got their reward on 34 minutes when Leon McDowall got the faintest of touches on Graham free-kick. It was enough to deflect the ball past Baverstock for the opening goal. He and Richard Butler worked hard in tricky conditions, but rarely troubled the goalkeeper otherwise.

In the second half, the Dons went close from two corners before Dorking flashed a free header wide when presented with a glorious chance of equalising.

They were left to regret it as the Dons won another corner. Baverstock flapped unconvincingly under challenge from Steve Butler and Antony Howard leapt to nod the ball home for his first Wimbledon goal.

Naisbitt produced a couple of excellent saves, including a flying one-handed tip over the bar, to keep the Dons' lead intact and thereafter they held out fairly comfortably.

A brief Ursell cameo proved he had recovered from his foot injury and the three points were a welcome late Christmas present for the vast majority of a record largest away attendance at an AFC Wimbledon league match.

[ --- wimbledonheritage.co.uk]