AFC Wimbledon 1 Charlton 2 - Five things we learned

Passion of a Boss – the turning point

Lee Bowyer was sent to the stands for two double-quick bookings moments into the second half.

If a player were to be sent for ‘well done’-ing a referee, (Wilfried Zaha), they would now expect to be handed an extra one-match ban for sarcasm.

Not knowing if Bowyer will get that punishment, the red-card it seemed was a turning point in the game.

Stood inches away from the away fans when he received his marching orders, it was an incredible sight and sound to see the well-dressed boss trudge across the field towards the tunnel with his name being bellowed as if he were a hero.

The fans are well and truly behind Bowyer, and looking at how his players reacted after his red card, they are too.

He may not be proud of how he got the red, but it’s hard to say it didn’t lift his men’s game.

READ: Bowyer's message to Sarr and Vetokele after Dons win

Belief

Recently it’s been asked whether the Addicks have the belief they can cope without the departed Karlan Grant.

And every time either Bowyer or one of his men come out and assure fans that with the talent they have, they are more than capable.

Fans however weren’t so sure and after five games without a win they started looking over their shoulder at how close they were to dropping out of the play-off spots, let alone looking up to automatic places.

This win, although it was against a team at the foot of the table, will alleviate a huge amount of pressure from the worriers and more so, it was the manner of the win.

A last minute goal always gives added enthusiasm and momentum to a side, momentum which will be huge going into their next game at Doncaster.

Stellar Performance from Sarr-man

Once again the defender stole the headlines with an all-round superb display.

It wasn’t the greatest team performance from the Addicks, especially in the first 45, but Sarr stood out and stepped up in the second half and showed why he’s been receiving plaudits this season.

He is un-droppable now, and with the return to fitness of captain Jason Pearce you'll expect it to be Patrick Bauer that will make way such is the form of the Frenchman.

As Bowyer quite rightly siad, he now has ‘100 % record with free-kicks,’ it’ll take a brave man to usher him off the next dead-ball.

He was lucky not to be shown red for a wild lunge on Scott Wagstaff, but as his manager has said in the post, the Addicks aren’t a push-over and with the physicality of the 25-year-old at the back, they’ve said good-bye to their ‘soft underbelly.’

READ: Naby on THAT goal at Wimbledon

Taylor Needs a Foil

Lyle Taylor is Charlton’s key man there is no doubt.

But, playing through the middle by himself he doesn’t seem comfortable.

Often shepherded by two defenders, there’s probably two much for the silky striker to do.

In the first half he looked isolated and was asked to chase many a lost cause.

The one moment he did get the ball to feet and ran at the Dons backline, he left their defence in his wake before miscuing his effort.

Second half the 28-year-old drifted wider and looked far more effective cutting in.

And when Igor Vetokele was introduce he was even more prominent as their defenders had another body to deal with.

Rumours are that Taylor left the ground in a protective boot with him admitting it doesn’t look good. Fans should be worried.

Doomed Dons?

The defeat left the Wally Downes men rooted to the foot of the table five points adrift of safety.

The loss is a major blow to the Wombles who had renewed hope after their impressive back to back away wins.

Lee Bowyer however had this message for them:

“Their manager has turned it around, they’ve got a chance.

“This isn’t an easy place to come, Wimbledon just won and scored four away from home at Rochdale, they’ve won the last two.

“They are a lot better side than we played two months ago!”

READ: Mark Bright recalls training ground incident with Scott Parker