FA Cup first round: Millwall 4 AFC Wimbledon 1 (From Croydon Guardian)

FA Cup first round: Millwall 4 AFC Wimbledon 1

8:42pm Monday 9th November 2009

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Millwall 4 AFC Wimbledon 1

On a night when heavyweight champion David Haye was in the crowd, AFC Wimbledon were hit bby three sucker punches to dump them out of the FA Cup in the first round.

The score was the same as last season's exit at the hands of Wycombe Wanderers but this was a much stronger performance by the Dons and 4-1 flattered the League One side.

However, it was they who took their chances when they came, with substitute Nick Price landing the knockout blow.

His first of two goals came within a minute of replacing Steve Morison and, in truth, after a spell in which the Dons had been on the ropes, defending a series of corners.

John Main then conceded a on the left-hand touchline and Chris Hackett's centre was cleared off the line by Steven Gregory, only for the former Hull City striker to pounce.

There was hope for the visitors when Lewis Taylor kept his cool after being put through by Danny Kedwell's astute back-heel, and suddenly the Dons contingent of the 9,453-strong crowd really had something to shout about.

But six minutes later - and four minutes from time - Danny Schofield was given too much time and room - the Dons' achilles heel all night to be fair - and he picked his spot in the top right corner.

The Dons were looking groggy and Price was on hand to send them to the canvas, taking advantage of the visitors' willingness to commit players forward, getting on the end of a three-on-one to seal the win.

Four goals was harsh on Dons keeper James Pullen, who made two world-class saves to deny Millwall the chance to kill off the game even earlier.

Twice he threw himself at the ball arrowed for the back of the net, somehow deflecting it for corners.

He and Taylor were the pick for Dons, who after a shaky start, tried to play the ball around but more than not lacked the execution to match their ideas.

Main and Kedwell ran themselves ragged up front but were too often left without support, although Main on one occasion took on what seemed the entire Millwall backline and shot agonisingly wide when he deserved a goal.

The Dons had made it to half-time on even terms.

Terry Brown's men burst out of the blocks, winning a corner inside the first minute.

The ball eventually fell to Taylor, who blasted over.

It was to become the tale of the half for the Dons, who at times seemed star-struck by their League One hosts, who were winning the 50-50 tackles and passing the ball round with ease.

Despite that, there were no clear-cut chances for Millwall, and the best opening of the half fell to Kedwell, who snatched at Elliott Godfrey's cross and the ball went wide.

The Dons worked their way into the match approaching half-time and at last started winning their fair share of contested possession.

The hosts' biggest threat came when right wing Hackett was on the ball, and he created one opening for Morison, although he headed straight at Pullen.

A fairly dour first half was summed up when the biggest cheer was reserved for WBA world heavyweight champion and avid Lions fan, Haye, who appeared after 25 minutes to warm applause.

He had failed to land a knockout blow in his 12 rounds against Valuev on Saturday night - but he would have been proud of Millwall's finishing powers against a Dons side who also gave their visiting fans plenty to encourage them for the rest of the season.

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