Match report: AFC Wimbledon 1 Stevenage 2

Sky Bet League Two

Stevenage scored from their own half for the second time this season as they got back to winning ways at AFC Wimbledon.

Jerome Okimo, the left-back, floated a free-kick towards his forwards with 76 minutes on the clock only to see it bounce in front of Wimbledon keeper Ben Wilson and then over him and into the net to hand Boro what was a fully deserved victory.

Earlier this season goalkeeper Jesse Joronen had done exactly the same thing against Wycombe, and so no matter whatever the rest of the campaign brings for Boro, at least the goal compilation at the end of the season will be worthy of repeat viewing.

The visitors had to come from behind for victory for earlier in the game they had fallen behind when Okimo was caught out by George Francomb and he nodded in Danny Bulman’s superb cross.

It was a well-worked goal, but come the end of the game it was probably the least talked about of all three as in addition to Okimo’s effort the one scored by Jamille Matt to get them back on level terms wasn’t too bad either.

Matt, the striker on loan from Fleetwood Town, returned to the side after missing the FA Cup defeat to Yeovil Town last week.

Okimo was involved in the build-up, as was Tom Pett, and Matt did the rest in the box when he used a defender to block the keeper’s line of sight and curled a terrific effort into the top corner with precision.

The best of the other chances also went the way of Boro, with Pett and Michael Tonge forcing Wilson into saves, while substitute Armand Gnanduillet stung his palms later.

Gnanduillet’s arrival early in the second half also ushered in a strike partnership with Matt that has been used just the once before, but could now be the way forward for Boro at home to Accrington next week.

On the right wavelength with each other, the duo were outstanding in the second period as the team grew in strength as the match went on.

The same could now be said of Teddy Sheringham’s side, who seem to be growing in stature themselves.

That is five unbeaten in the league, and Boro have moved to within eight points and striking distance of the play-offs.

AFC Wimbledon: Wilson, Kennedy, Robinson, Osborne, Meades, Bulman, Reeves, Rigg (Azeez 59), Francomb, Taylor, Akinfenwa (Elliott 74). Subs: McDonnell, Fitzpatrick, Sweeney, Kaja, Toonga.

Stevenage: Day, Okimo, Henry, Wells, McCombe, Whelpdale, McFadzean (Gnanduillet 530, Cox, Tonge, Pett, Matt. Subs: crowe, Gorman, Conlon, Lee, Hughes, Johnson.

Att: 3846 (282 away)