West Brom's promotion bid was dented yet further as rock-bottom Wimbledon
grabbed a deserved point in freezing Milton Keynes.
Gary Megson's men, who have now gone four league games without a win, at times
looked more like the side propping up the Nationwide First Division and now find
themselves five points behind leaders Norwich after another toothless display.
Megson had publicly slammed his side after a lacklustre Boxing Day draw at
struggling Derby, and they seemed to respond in a bright opening which saw
Ronnie Wallwork almost mark a rare start with an early goal.
The former Manchester United man's 25-yard strike flew narrowly wide, but West
Brom soon knew they were in a game when Wimbledon's Jamie Mackie drifted in from
the right to fire in a low drive that had Russell Hoult scrambling across his
goal.
The Dons' youngsters at times belied their position with some slick passing
which had Albion on the back foot, and one such move culminated in Patrick
Agyemang firing over the bar from a good position.
Rob Hulse forced Wimbledon 'keeper Steve Banks into action with a volley from
James Chambers' centre, but the hosts went back on the attack immediately with
Mackie firing over the top.
Adam Nowland then twisted and turned on the edge of the Albion area before
forcing another save from Hoult, but Wimbledon were dealt a timely reminder of
the visitors' quality when Geoff Horsfield wriggled clear down the right.
Horsfield's cut-back found Jason Koumas via the boot of Hulse, but the
highly-rated midfielder's weak shot was comfortably saved by Banks.
Albion, having presumably further incurred the wrath of Megson at half-time,
started the second period the stronger and Hulse got on the end of a fine Koumas
free-kick.
The former Crewe man rose above the Wimbledon defence but succeeded only in
planting the ball over Banks' crossbar.
Dons' striker Wayne Gray then proceeded to miss the chance of the game with 20
minutes remaining.
The lively Joel McAnuff tortured the visiting defence before finding Gray
unmarked in front of goal, but the big hitman spooned his effort high over the
bar.
McAnuff caused further havoc with another cross that had Hoult floundering,
but when the ball dropped to Wade Small he could not find the target.
Agyemang then forced another save from Hoult before a sloppy pass put the
frontman clean through with five minutes remaining.
But Hoult just got enough on Agyemang's shot to deflect it narrowly wide as
Albion gratefully clung on for a point.
Teams
Wimbledon Banks, Darlington, Gier, Leigertwood, Lewington,
McAnuff, Nowland, Reo-Coker, Mackie (Gray 62), Agyemang, Small.
Subs Not Used: Chorley, Tapp, Harding, Worgan.
West Brom Hoult, Volmer, Gaardsoe, Moore, James Chambers,
Koumas, Johnson (O'Connor 62), Wallwork, Clement,
Hulse (Dobie 71), Horsfield.
Subs Not Used: Sakiri, Murphy, Dyer.
Booked: Wallwork, Gaardsoe.
Att: 6,376
Ref: P Walton (Northamptonshire).
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