AFC Wimbledon’s unbeaten start to the season continued with a draw and a victory from their last two matches.
Having beaten Fleetwood Town on the opening day, the Dons held newly-promoted Coventry City to a 0-0 draw in their first competitrive match at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Saturday.
Neal Ardley’s men then won 2-1 at Portsmouth on Tuesday night in the first round of the Carabao Cup - their first victory in that competition since returning to the Football League in 2011.
Pompey took the lead just after half-time but the Dons hit back through Joe Pigott on 76 minutes with a header.
In the 88th minute Dons clinched victory thanks to an own goal from Anton Walkes.
Ardley told the club’s website: “We had the overall combination from staff and players. We were brave enough to go for it and play three centre forwards so that we really mixed it up.
“The players were good enough to adapt to that, despite not really working on it. We penned them in during the second-half and created the chances that got us goals against a really well drilled defence.
Ardley was understandably delighted to lead his side into unchartered territory and into the hat for Thursday's draw for the next stage of the competition.
"There have been plenty of firsts in the six years or so that I’ve been here," he said.
"To have another first – to be the first manager to take us into the next round – is something I’m really proud of."
The Dons return to League One action this Saturday (August 18) when they travel to top side Barnsley who have beaten Blackpool and Bradford City so far this season.
On Tuesday (August 21) evening seventh-placed Walsall are due to visit the Dons.
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