AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Rochdale
- Published
Goals from Dele Adebola and Bobby Grant gave John Coleman's Rochdale a valuable away win at AFC Wimbledon.
The visitors were 2-0 up at half-time, thanks to Adebola's header and a neat finish from strike partner Grant.
The Dons' cause was not helped when front man Jack Midson was sent off for violent conduct on 24 minutes.
Luke Moore pulled one back for the hosts to create a nervy finish but Rochdale held on for only their second league win of the season.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
AFC Wimbledon manager Terry Brown told BBC London 94.9:
Midson deserved red card - Brown
"I felt we started the game off in great fashion. I was pleased with how they applied themselves at the start.
"Their first goal was a disappointment, and earlier than we wanted to concede, but I never thought at any time that we couldn't get the game back.
"It was a major blow to then have Jack sent off. If Jack was stupid enough to push somebody then he deserved to get sent off.
"If you raise your hands then you have to go. It's not the first time Jack has done that but it's the first time we have paid the penalty for that and he has to learn as it was a very costly sending off today."
Rochdale manager John Coleman told BBC Radio Manchester:
"I came here last year with Accrington when we hadn't won away for about seven months and we won here, so this ground has got happy memories for me.
"I'm delighted that we won but I'm frustrated that we've ended up having to hang on.
"We should have been out of sight. Their keeper has made some great saves, but we were wasteful in front of goal.
"We got a bit sloppy in the second half and nearly got punished for it."