AFC Wimbledon crashed out of the London Senior Cup on Wednesday evening after an appalling second half performance against Barkingside.

The Dons fielded a strong team but it wasn't enough to prevent their first defeat in the competition for more than 25 years as their Foresters Essex Senior League opponents ran out comfortable 3-0 winners.

Squandered

Terry Eames' men started brightly enough and leading scorer Kevin Cooper squandered a great chance after 15 minutes when he failed to round the keeper after being put clean through.

The home side enjoyed the majority of possession but created few clear cut chances with Danny Oakins having his header clawed away and Gavin Bolger's shot deflected wide.

The 1,125 crowd hoped the onslaught would happen after the break but minutes into the second half Barkingside took the lead with Dons defence napping.

Right back Neil Robson was caught woefully out of position and the striker's shot squirmed under Glyn Shimell who should have done better.

The visitors could have doubled their advantage as the Dons defence went walkabouts again but the shot smacked against the bar with Shimell well beaten.

The match had been a niggly affair throughout and erupted into a 21 man brawl soon afterwards with both benches involved.

The referee somehow decided a booking for each side was justified punishment though how no-one got their marching orders was baffling.

The opponents had a goal disallowed after 80 minutes for a marginal offside decision but there was nothing that could stop the second.

Rocketed

A freekick was awarded 30 yards out and Shimell was left groping at thin air as it went past him and in off the bar.

The Dons were clearly deflated and it got worse when Shimell bought down a Barkingside striker and was lucky to stay on the pitch.

The visitors duly converted the spotkick to deservedly book their place in the next round while Eames was left wondering how to rescue the Dons from their depressing slump.

January 31, 2003 15:30