Jay Conroy expects to start against Gateshead on Saturday despite admitting he feared for the worst when hobbling off during Tuesday night’s 2-0 win at Salisbury City.

Conroy has made the right-back berth his own in recent weeks, pushing Sam Hatton to the bench, as the Dons finally seem to have solved their defensive dilemma.

But the 23-year-old revealed a crunching tackle by Salisbury’s Luke Riddick prompted flashbacks of an unsavoury nature.

Conroy said: “It was a two-footed tackle and to be honest I thought it was shocking.

“I could not believe he just got yellow-carded and the lads said it looked horrible.

“I was really nervous as it was the same sort of tackle that has seen me break my right leg three times, and it split my left leg open.

“There is a five-inch cut but I have had various bandages on it and I think it should be OK for Saturday.

“I will be training Thursday night so hopefully things will be fine - having worked so hard to get into the team the last thing I want is to have to sit out with an injury.”

Conroy has started the last four games as part of a Dons backline that has conceded just one goal in that period.

And the defender reckons Wimbledon are finally laying their defensive demons to rest.

He added: “I think it was just a case of getting used to the shape.

“We work really hard in training and everyone is confident and trusts each other.

“When you get on a run like this things seem to just happen, and we know with the strikers we have if we keep a clean sheet chances are we will get a goal.

“So as long as we do our job at the back the club should keep moving forward.”

A Jon Main brace earned the three points on Tuesday, after a Danny Kedwell strike accounted for Saturday’s 1-0 win at Kidderminster.

The back-to-back road wins took Wimbledon’s tally to seven wins on their travels this campaign, best in the Blue Square Premier, and with Gateshead on their way to Kingsmeadow this weekend Conroy wants that translated at home.

He added: “Our away record is pretty amazing, but at home we do not seem to be the best.

“I think we have by far the best supporters in the league, and we just want to keep the fans happy.

“Everyone is disappointed with our home form and if we can get that right I think we can at least make the play-offs this season.”

AFC Wimbledon’s next three matches: Dec 5 Gateshead (h), 8 Ash United (SSC, a), 12 Boreham Wood (FAT, h)