Bristol Rovers 1-0 AFC Wimbledon
Last updated on .From the section Football
Tom Hitchcock's late goal earned Bristol Rovers a win to increase AFC Wimbledon's relegation worries.
Substitute Hitchcock volleyed in past Dons goalkeeper John Sullivan to settle a dire game at the Memorial Stadium.
Winger Fabian Broghammer had earlier hit a post for John Ward's Rovers, who move up to 11th, within five points of a League Two play-off spot.
The visitors remain in trouble although, of the bottom six in League Two, only Plymouth won on Saturday.
Neal Ardley's side are two points and two places above the drop zone but their goal difference of -23 is the worst in League Two.
Rovers have moved spectacularly away from relegation danger since Ward replaced Mark McGhee as manager in December and now even have an outside chance of sneaking into an unlikely play-off spot.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Rovers manager John Ward told BBC Radio Bristol:
"People that wander in and think you're going to win by three like we did on Monday are living in the wrong area.
"We've had to work really hard today to get that result.
"When we all calm down tonight or tomorrow morning and see 58 points and a 1-0 home win, we'll be really pleased. That's a really good return for us in a really difficult game."
AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley told BBC London 94.9:
"They came at us for the first 20 minutes, and we had to be resilient.
"It was the story of our season. We put in a hard-working performance and felt it was a game we could get something from.
"Our final pass and belief was lacking but, typically, we conceded from half a chance and we lost the game. We are deflated but we'll pick ourselves up.
"We won't start pointing fingers but roll our sleeves up and do it again. If we keep our performance levels high I am sure we can do it."
