Rushden & Diamonds 0-1 AFC Wimbledon

James Pullen’s wonder-show secured the Dons’ fourth away win of the campaign in a tale of two glovesmen.

The goalkeeper kept out a first-half penalty and produced a number of top-drawer saves to ensure maximum reward from Nene Park.

Wimbledon had been gifted the lead within two minutes of kick-off.

On his first start for the club, striker Ross Montague’s long-range shot squeezed under the body of former Milton Keynes stopper Nathan Abbey.

It was a sweet moment for the near 500 away fans – whose wonderful vocal support throughout the match earned praise from boss Terry Brown.

The manager was sent to the stands for sarcastically applauding atrocious referee James Adcock in the first half.

But that didn’t dent his team’s hopes and Wimbledon are up to fourth after holding on to their early advantage.

After the lead was handed to them on a plate, Rushden came on strong. Chris Hussey’s weak clearance allowed in Craig Farrell and his shot hit the post before being cleared off the line by well-placed right-back Sam Hatton.

Just after the hour mark Wimbledon fans and players were seething after the hosts were awarded a dubious penalty kick.

Legs were flying but there was no way Alan Inns made enough contact with Farrell to justify the decision – and the travelling support let the official know it.

The lack of any kind of appeal from the Diamonds players or fans totally gave the game away.

But justice was done when Pullen guessed right to keep Farrell’s spot kick out.

Dons offered little attacking threat after the re-start as they soaked up the early Rushden pressure with the hope of getting a goal on the breakaway.

Two Cliff Akurang headers signalled the home team’s intent inside the half’s early knockings and Pullen had to be at full stretch to deny Matt Pattison – a summer target of Wimbledon.

But on 63 minutes the win could have been wrapped up. Kennedy Adjei, thriving in the forward role, picked out rampaging Hussey on the left but Abbey was equal to the shot.

Danny Kedwell – on his game but getting little change from the Diamonds’ backline – then played in the Ghanaian but his arrowing effort was just wide of the right-hand post.

The Londoners weren’t punished for their wastefulness with Justin Edinburgh’s team off the boil and the Dons returned to the capital with three points as they burst into the top five.

Brown said: “I think we did just about enough to win the game. It was tense but crossed the finishing line with the help of our great fans.

“Alan Inns also deserves a lot of credit. He has been superb since coming back in.

“He hasn’t played much before our injury problems but he’s got on with it and hasn’t looked back. It’s a great win for us.”