It’s not often a team plays two consecutive away matches against the league leaders but that’s the task facing AFC Wimbledon tomorrow – partly thanks to their own efforts, writes John Payne.

The effort in earning a 0-0 draw at Burton Albion, despite going down to 10 men on Tuesday, allowed this weekend’s opponents Shrewsbury Town to take top spot in League Two.

It may not have been pretty in the closing stages, but that point was no mean effort as Burton have turned the Pirelli Stadium into a fortress, having won each of their previous home games since former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink replaced Gary Rowett as manager.

Shrewsbury’s own home form this season is even more formidable, with Jose Mourinho the only manager to leave with a victory this season – in the Capital One Cup – and Newport, Wycombe and Southend the only visitors to leave with so much as a point in 15 league games.

But that’s enough of what the Dons are up against – the battling qualities Neal Ardley has instilled in to his side mean no-one can afford to take his side lightly.

Just four of Wimbledon’s 10 league defeats this season have been against sides currently above them in the table – Dons old boy Gareth Ainsworth having led Wycombe to a double; seventh-placed Newport and 10th-placed Stevenage being the others.

And they made it four points out of six against Burton this season thanks to Tuesday’s point, despite Ardley having to reshuffle his back four when Matt Phillips was sent off just after the hour.

Until that moment, the Dons manager felt his side were the likelier winners, pointing his own side’s four one-on-one situations as the best opportunities in the game.

It stretched Wimbledon’s unbeaten run to four and leaves them just five points off the play-offs with a game in hand. Saturday’s match may be another huge test, but it’s also a huge barometer of whether the Dons can mount a promotion push of their own.