AFC Wimbledon boss Terry Brown described referee Steve Tanner’s decision not to award the Dons a stoppage-time penalty in Saturday’s defeat at Burton as embarrassing, but refused to blame the official for his side’s 3-2 loss, writes James Owens.

Wimbledon trailed 3-1 going into the final 10 minutes at the Pirelli Stadium, but were handed a lifeline when Brewers left-back Aaron Webster deflected Sam Hatton’s cross into his own net eight minutes from time.

Late substitute James Mulley appeared to have dribbled his way through the home defence and into the 18 yard box in the 93rd minute when he went down under a challenge from Webster, but referee Tanner was unmoved by Wimbledon’s appeals for a penalty.

“It’s incredible that he didn’t give a foul,” Brown said.

“James Mulley is the quickest player in this league, he is like greased lightning.

"The defender might have won the ball, but if his momentum carries him through and he takes my player out, it’s a stonewall penalty, and I shall expect a phone call from the referee.”

But Brown stressed that his side had only themselves to blame after Burton capitalised on defensive errors from the Dons for their second and third goals.

“The penalty decision is almost irrelevant. The truth is, we lost because Burton were better than us," he added.

“My ‘keeper has made three or four really good saves, so I’ve got no complaints whatsoever about the result.

“I thought it was a good open game and I enjoyed it as a spectacle, but we conceded three poor goals so we’re disappointed with our defensive performance.

“Myself and my coaching staff have got a lot of work to do on the whole team defensively, not just the back four.”

The Dons’ tormentor-in-chief was striker Billy Kee, who scored twice before Luke Moore’s 45th minute goal for the Dons, and was instrumental in the build-up to Adam Bolder’s third for the hosts on 62 minutes.

Burton manager Paul Peschisolido described Kee as a “million pound player” after the game, and Brown agreed that Kee’s contribution was decisive.

“Billy Kee in particular caused us all sorts of problems both with his physical prowess and his ability to stick the ball in the net," he said.

“I think he was probably the difference between the two sides today.”

But Brown insisted that the squad will remain upbeat as they prepare for next Saturday’s FA Cup Second Round tie at Bradford.

"We’ve been beaten by bigger margins in this league a few times and we’ve always bounced back,” he said.