Yeovil picked up a valuable point in a 1-1 draw with AFC Wimbledon but for the second week running, they let a lead slip. Going ahead through Ryan Bird’s 25th minute header, the Glovers held on till twelve minutes from time when Adebayo Akinfenwa nodded an equaliser.
Of more concern would be the loss of two more players to injury with Alex Lacey limping out of the pre match warm up and Omar Sowunmi being stretchered off after a cynical late challenge from Dons defender Will Nightingale. The result lifts Yeovil up out of the relegation zone into 22nd place.
Manager Paul Sturrock had to do his usual juggling act with the resources left after another injury hit period. Initially, he made three changes bringing in new loan signing from Luton, Jake Howells, along with Josh Wakefield and Ryan Bird; Jordan Gibbons dropping to the bench, Shaun Jeffers missing through the first match of his three game ban and Jack Compton out injured. But Alex Lacey then strained his groin in the warm up so Jakub Sokolik deputised from his spot on the bench.
Yeovil keeper Artur Krysiak, later named man of the match, pulled off two impressive stops early on saving from Jake Reeves and Tom Elliott’s shots. Ref Lee Swabey, on his first visit to Huish Park, almost robbed Yeovil of a spectacular opener when Howells hit a beauty against the post from 25 yards, the official blowing up to give the Glovers a free kick without playing the advantage.
Matt Dolan’s free kick was easily held by Dons keeper James Shea who also watched as Bird drove over from Sowunmi’s lay off. But on 25 minutes came the opener. Connor Roberts long throw was flicked backwards by the giant Sowunmi and Ryan Bird stooped to head home from a close range for his third goal in eight games this season.
Krysiak then saved from Andy Barcham before referee Swabey strained a muscle and was replaced by assistant referee Adam Hopkins, Yeovil’s injury jinx now extending to the officials, it seemed. As the half closed, Reeves went close to levelling with a superb attempt that came off the post.
The second half had no sooner started than it was halted following a nasty challenge on Sowunmi by centre back Will Nightingale. The defender come striker had impressed in the first half but was caught very late by the defender as he played in Howells, sub ref Hopkins adjudging it to be a yellow card offence. Mark Beck came on in Sowunmi’s place.
On 57 minutes, Dons hit the woodwork for a second time when Paul Robinson’s header cannoned off the face of the crossbar from George Francomb’s corner and after a fizzing four man move involving some quick close passing, Reeves badly sliced his shot wide of the near post.
Francomb’s deliveries were of high quality and after he had fired a free kick narrowly wide, he set up the Dons leveller. His corner from the left flank was headed in by Adebayo Akinfenwa who struck for the second time this season.
The final ten minutes, plus seven minutes of stoppage time for Sowunmi’s injury, were spent with the game opening up but Dons enjoying the better chances. Sub Adebayo Azeez fired over and Dannie Bullman saw his low shot saved well by Krysiak. In time added on, Azeez missed a golden chance to settle the game by pulling his shot wide but it would have been harsh on a Yeovil side down on luck and who deserved a point at least for honest toil.