AFC Wimbledon took an enormous step towards securing League One safety with a 2-1 win over Play-Off chasing Oxford United at Plough Lane.
The first-half was bereft of any clear cut chances with the closest either side coming was Sam Long’s overhit 38th minute cross which had Dons keeper Nik Tzanev scampering backwards to tip the ball over the bar.
Seven minutes into the second-half Oxford took the lead when Olamide Shodipo’s cut back found Josh Ruffels whose scuffed effort bobbled past Tzanev into the corner.
Wimbledon were level 10 minutes later though after James Henry was sent-off for handling in the box to deny a goalbound effort with Joe Pigott duly dispatching the resultant penalty.
And the Dons turned the game completely on its head two minutes later as Pigott’s pass was met by Alex Woodyard who rifled a left-footed drive into the back of the net.
Wimbledon could have had a third a minute later when Ryan Longman played a one-two with Pigott before finding Ollie Palmer whose shot deflected behind.
Oxford almost snatched an equaliser in injury time as Ruffels ghosted into the box and nodded a free header over the bar.