Walton Casuals boss Mark Hams praised his AFC Wimbledon counterpart despite being on the wrong end of a 1-0 defeat on Saturday.

A late Chace Jacquart strike sealed the win for Neal Ardley’s men, and afterwards the League Two boss revealed to Hams that he had to read the riot act to his players at half-time.

The Dons took a strong side to the Waterside stadium, including new signings George Francomb and Chris Arthur, despite having a second friendly arranged for the same afternoon at Sutton United.

Hams said: “Full respect to AFC Wimbledon, Neal Ardley, Simon Bassey and Neil Cox all came to manage their team and they are the management team.

“Neal said afterwards that he was not being clever, but he did not really know what to expect from us bearing in mind we were relegated last season.

“I think he was wondering if we would give them a game, and he had to have a go at his players at half-time.”

He added: “But he said at times in the first half we were on top, and we should be encouraged, which is nice of him to say.”

Casuals host Carshalton Athletic tomorrow night in their next pre-season friendly, and they are at home again on Saturday when Woking are the visitors (kick off 3pm).