Fleetwood boss Sheridan savours ‘massive three points’ after win at Wimbledon

Fleetwood manager John Sheridan praised his side for picking up a “massive three points” after their 1-0 win in sodden conditions at AFC Wimbledon on Good Friday.

The triumph – secured by Jack Sowerby’s clinical first-half finish – marked the Cod Army’s third straight win and moved them eight points clear of the relegation zone in League One.

Wimbledon remained just two points above the danger zone following a match most memorable for a pitch that became more waterlogged as it wore on, with play suspended at one point during the second half so it could be treated.

Sheridan said: “We just wanted the game on – the referee pulled myself and (Wimbledon boss) Neal Ardley over at half-time and obviously Neal was probably questioning the game (continuing) more than I was.

“Full credit to the referee. He could so easily have called it off but he’s gone (ahead) with it. I know the ball was stopping, but I thought both sets of players tried their best and got through it.

“It was difficult, but it was a big game for us both and the most pleasing thing is we’ve got three points and it’s a massive three points.

“Obviously when we get the goal, we want to be playing in the game, but I applaud my players. It’s a magnificent result.

“You couldn’t pass the ball on the pitch, but we ain’t half doing well in keeping the ball out of our net, not that they’ve had that many chances.”

Fleetwood went ahead after 22 minutes when Conor McAleny played the ball through for Sowerby, who finished emphatically with a first-time shot.

Lyle Taylor missed a great chance to equalise when he volleyed Dean Parrett’s free-kick wide before he was denied by a terrific save from Alex Cairns in the second half.

Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley said: “We only got really ragged in the last 25 minutes of the second half when it became a bit harder and the conditions just got worse.

“I thought, in the first half, everything we worked on in training we did really well – we switched play well, we worked the wide areas well.

“We had some really good moments, Lyle has had a great chance, but ultimately it became harder as the game wore on to do that.

“We brought Paul Robinson on and it didn’t particularly work, but it was a positive intention of trying to get that goal back and trying to get us back in the game.

“We’ve all got our own opinions as to whether that game should have been played and whether that pitch was playable.

“I’ve had a game called off that wasn’t as bad as that pitch, but the scoreline I think influenced the ref in the end.”