Mark Bonner believes Matty Stevens’ controversial winner in AFC Wimbledon’s 1-0 victory against Gillingham should not have stood.
The first half finished goalless at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, but the Dons’ top scorer got on the end of James Tilley’s corner to give the hosts the lead after the break.
The replay revealed that the ball had come off Stevens’ arm, but referee Sam Purkiss and his linesman allowed the goal to stand.
Gills boss Bonner was disappointed to see his side lose the game after a strong showing in South London.
“At first viewing, we get dragged out of zones a little bit and we don’t manage to follow the man but then you see the players’ reaction and the replays,” he said.
“Clearly, that is handball, so that is frustrating.
“Overall the emotion is that I am really angry to have lost the game, and really angry with the way in which we have lost the game, but hopeful that as a minimal level, it gives us a chance of winning games in a league that is going to be open until Easter.
“I do [expect the linesman to see the handball] when it is on his side.
“It is not easy in full speed, but in the end, there is a bit of space that he ends up in and it is a fairly clear line through from the linesman’s side to see that.
“I would expect him to see that, just like I would expect us to defend it better, we should expect that from our players but we should expect that from them as well.”
The win moved the Dons into second place in the League Two table.
Johnnie Jackson believes the opportunity to move into the automatic promotion places was the perfect motivation for his players.
“It is important to win those games if you want to achieve anything,” said the Dons boss.
“Forget about where it took us tonight, we are only halfway through and it is very tight.
“You can’t ignore that we were eighth going into it and that the carrot for tonight is that we can move up into second.
“The lads embraced that and they were aware of that, and they attacked it rather than that becoming a hindrance.
“I think it was something for us to really fight for.
“I haven’t seen it [the goal], but they just said it to me while I was doing another interview.
“Did one go our way, I don’t know, but if it did so be it.
“Everyone has kept telling me that these were going to even themselves out and I have not believed it but if that’s the case we have got one today.”
