WILL Hatfield again came off the bench to score a crucial goal as he handed Accrington Stanley a home victory against AFC Wimbledon this afternoon.
Hatfield netted late levellers in recent draws against Port Vale and Bradford but this time he secured all three points for Paul Cook’s Reds with a winner 10 minutes from time.
AFC Wimbledon’s Luke Moore had an effort saved by Ian Dunbavin in the first minute but Stanley were ahead two minutes later as Bobby Grant’s free kick was fumbled by Seb Brown and Luke Joyce turned in the rebound.
Stanley were bright in attack, with Micah Evans heading over, but the visitors had a decent chance to equalise when Christian Jolley volleyed marginally too high.
The leveller did come on the half hour mark, though, as Rashid Yussuff’s centre was turned in by Moore from close range.
Moore then turned wide when he should have made it 2-1, but Stanley came close at the other end when Grant headed over.
Jolley struck the outside of the post with a curling effort for AFC Wimbledon after the interval, and Dunbavin had to save from Jack Midson.
But Stanley were also pushing for a winner and Devitt’s effort was kept out by Brown although Jack Midson headed across goal from a good position at the other end.
The Reds went 2-1 in front with 10 minutes left, though, as Grant’s slide-rule ball played in substitute Hatfield, who coolly converted.
Stanley: Ian Dunbavin; Craig Lindfield, Peter Murphy, Michael Liddle, Kevin McIntyre; Charlie Barnett, Luke Joyce; Micah Evans (Will Hatfield 63), Jamie Devitt (Ryan Hopper 77), Bobby Grant; Padraig Amond (Ian Craney 77). Subs not used: Lee Nicholls, Liam Willis.
AFC Wimbledon: Seb Brown; Sam Hutton, Matt Mitchel-King, Pim Balkestein, Gareth Gwillim; Christian Jolley (Byron Harrison 63), George Moncur, Ricky Wellard, Rashid Yussuff (Kieran Djilali 72); Luke Moore, Jack Midson. Subs not used: Jack Turner, Chris Bush, Brett Johnson.
Referee: David Coote.
Attendance: 1,627.
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