AFC Wimbledon vs Walsall. Sky Bet League Two.
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Match report and highlights as AFC Wimbledon beat Walsall 2-0 in League Two; Will Nightingale and Ali Al-Hamadi scored from Armani Little set-pieces to end hosts' 12-game winless run; AFC Wimbledon move up to 16th, with Walsall three places and three points above them
Tuesday 28 March 2023 23:59, UK
Will Nightingale's first goal of the season set AFC Wimbledon on their way to ending their long winless run in League Two with a 2-0 triumph over Walsall.
It was a much-needed first win in 12 games for the Dons, which lifted them up two places to 16th in the table and eased some of the tension around Plough Lane.
A sweeping move almost led to Wimbledon taking the lead after seven minutes, with Ethan Chislett and Alex Woodyard combining to tee up Kasey McAteer, who shot just wide.
Walsall goalkeeper Owen Evans then produced a great save to tip over Woodyard's header, while his opposite number Nathan Broome did well to keep out a similar effort by Conor Wilkinson.
The breakthrough was made by the Dons just short of the hour mark when Armani Little's corner was met by Nightingale, whose header floated into the top corner.
Another Little set-piece led to the hosts doubling their lead in the 74th minute as substitute Ali Al-Hamadi bundled in after McAteer's flick was cleared off the line.
Walsall are now just three points and three places above AFC Wimbledon, with the Saddlers 13th in League Two.
AFC Wimbledon's next game is a League Two fixture at home to bottom club Rochdale on Saturday - kick-off 3pm - before they travel to relegation-threatened Harrogate on Friday April 7 - kick-off also 3pm.
Walsall are next in action on Saturday when they host play-off hopefuls Sutton in League Two - kick-off 3pm - before they go to Rochdale on Friday April 7 - again, kicking off at 3pm.
