The Dons completed 2024 with a victory at Plough Lane courtesy of a Matty Stevens (pictured) aim which appeared to go in off the in-form striker’s arm.
Wimbledon opened stronger than the guests, however couldn’t discover a approach by way of till the fiftieth minute, the place a whipped nook supply discovered Stevens within the field and he bundled it house, seemingly together with his proper arm.
The Gills piled on the stress, together with seeing a free-kick from ex-Dons midfielder Armani Little narrowly tipped away by Owen Goodman, however they might not discover an equaliser earlier than the ultimate whistle.
A controversial resolution in Wimbledons’ favour is one thing of a rarity this season, the facet having seen a superbly good 93rd-minute winner disallowed at Plough Lane simply 4 days earlier towards Swindon.
“It’s vital to win these tight video games if you wish to obtain something,” stated Jackson. “Neglect the place it took us tonight, we’re solely midway by way of the season and it’s very very tight. However you’ll be able to’t ignore that we had been eighth going into the sport and we knew that the carrot, not a prize however only a carrot for tonight, was that we may get ourselves as much as second.
“The lads embraced that, they had been conscious of that they usually attacked it. Somewhat than it changing into a hindrance I believe it was one thing for us to essentially battle for.”
The Dons boss was coy relating to the character of his facet’s winner, however echoed the sentiment of many followers who see it as justice within the wake of their questionably disallowed aim final week.
Jackson stated: “I haven’t seen the aim, we scored a 93rd minute winner right here 4 days in the past that was a aim, and that was Matty too, and we’ve had a couple of others as properly. Did one go our approach? I don’t know, but when it did, so be it.
“Everybody has saved telling me that these selections had been going to even themselves out and I haven’t believed it, but when it’s the case that now we have bought one at present then yeah.
“What Matty does is get himself free within the field, he creates area within the penalty field and it’s not a coincidence that he’s on the tip of this stuff, so good ahead play for me.”
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD