Johnnie Jackson backs Joe Pigott to have vital role at AFC Wimbledon

AFC Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson believes Joe Pigott could play a key part in his side’s season after he scored the winner in their Carabao Cup first-round tie at Bromley.

Pigott is in his second spell at the Dons after arriving on loan from Leyton Orient during the summer, having scored 54 goals in 157 appearances during three-and-a-half years up to the end of 2020/21.

Jackson said: “Joe’s got a massive role to play. We’ve got four good strikers up there and all four have scored in the first two games [of the season].

“I played with Joe at Charlton and obviously I’ve watched his career really closely.

“I tried to sign him a couple of times, didn’t manage to get him, but finally he’s playing for me. I know what he’s capable of.”

Bromley went ahead in what was their first Carabao Cup tie when Levi Amantchi swept in Bes Topalloj’s cross, only for Josh Kelly to quickly level for Wimbledon.

Pigott settled the tie in the Dons’ favour after 61 minutes when he touched in James Tilley’s header across goal.

Bromley boss Andy Woodman said: “It’s great to have been involved but we’ve got to move on from that now, really.

“We’ve got to grow up a little bit as a club, grow up as a group of players and realise we’re in this league.

“I thought we were good [value] for it in a lot of areas but I think we just lacked a little bit of belief in the final third.”