After conceding a stoppage-time winner away to Plymouth Argyle, before Sheffield Wednesday put five past them at Hillsborough, Wimbledon was looking for a response with a home tie against Mansfield Town.

 The game started on the wrong foot, however, with Mansfield having the better of the early chances. The Stags created three clear-cut opportunities in the opening minutes.

 The visitors made use of their next opportunity though, taking the lead from a corner midway through the first half. Michael Smith met the in-swinging corner at the back post to nod past Joe Bursik in the Dons’ goal.

 Wimbledon hadn’t conceded a league goal at home all season before that, but only five minutes passed before the second came. Michael Smith got his head to a cross in the middle of the box and delicately glanced it past Bursik to score his second of the evening.

 Jayden Stockley almost pulled one back before the half-time whistle, heading just inches wide from a few yards out, but Mansfield took their two-goal lead into the break.

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 The Dons displayed a lot more fight early in the second half. Aron Sasu showed great skill to get past his defender on the left wing before firing in a low cross to Stockley. The striker’s effort rebounded off the crossbar to deny him a fifth goal of the campaign.

 Despite Wimbledon’s efforts, it was Mansfield who got the third goal of the game. Michael Smith was yet again involved - this time playing Jon Russell through on goal. He cut back onto his left foot and picked out the top left corner of Bursik’s net.

 Summer signing Harry Cornick should have scored a consolation goal five minutes from the end when a rebounded shot landed at his feet a few yards out. He couldn’t react quickly enough and could only manage to put it wide of the post.

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 Three defeats in a row, and conceding ten goals in the process, will be a cause for concern for Dons boss Johnnie Jackson. The fans expected a strong response after the thrashing at Sheffield Wednesday but voiced their disappointment with boos at full time.

 Wimbledon don’t have to wait long for a chance to put this result behind them, though, as Wycombe Wanderers visit The Cherry Red Records Stadium on Saturday afternoon.