Wimbledon boss Jackson praises 'magnificent' players

Johnnie Jackson was appointed AFC Wimbledon boss in May 2022 following the club's relegation to League Two

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson said his players were "magnificent" following their entertaining 1-1 draw at fellow promotion hopefuls Doncaster Rovers.

Alistair Smith's instinctive fifth minute strike had given the visitors an early lead in south Yorkshire but Jackson's men were forced to play for over an hour with 10 men following captain Jake Reeves' dismissal for a high tackle on Rovers' Harry Clifton.

After Rovers were also reduced to 10 men when substitute Billy Sharp was sent off 50 seconds after coming on to the pitch for an off-the-ball incident, Jamie Sterry's deflected equaliser earned the hosts a share of the spoils.

"It took an unbelievable effort from the lads," Jackson told BBC Radio London.

"For us to dig in and to end the game trying to win it the way that we did, I can't ask any more of the lads, it's a brilliant effort.

"It [Saturday's match] wasn't much fun to be honest, the old ticker was going but you have to try to stay calm to portray that to the players."

Victory on Saturday would have seen the Dons leapfrog Doncaster and to within one point of stuttering Walsall, who currently occupy the final promotion place in League Two, with Mat Sadler's side now winless in their last 10 league matches following a dismal run.

Instead, Wimbledon sit fifth but, despite the missed opportunity to close the gap with four matches remaining, Jackson remained upbeat.

"I don't think this is one of them where we've let the lead slip," he said.

"We had chances to win it, Joe Lewis ends up clean through, Aron Sasu has an opportunity so there's absolutely no criticism of our players whatsoever. I thought they were magnificent.

"I told the players if they turn up like that, with that spirit, four more times I think that puts us really close."