AFC Wimbledon: Ardley keeps the belief after night of disbelief

The visitors to the Cherry Red Record stadium could not handle the Dons’ scintillating first half performance, which produced, from countless chances, just one goal from Tom Elliott.

It was a different story after the break as United made the most of two defensive lapses from corners to forge ahead with less that 90 seconds gone.

Good start: Tom Elliott takes the congratulations after opening the scoring against Cambridge United

The Dons had chances in the dying moments to haul themselves level, but in the end the home faithful were left to wander in the Tuesday night air baffled at what could have been.

Ardley said: “There’s a lot of frustration. They had seven players over 6ft 3in – it was land of the giants – so we knew they were going to try to stop supply lines to our forwards and that’s why we played with two wingers who could get at people.

“We’re going to go brave down the sides, with the full backs and wingers bombing on – and in the first half we executed it absolutely to the letter.

“We send the players out early after half-time to do sprints and to get going again because we wanted to be on the front foot for the first 20 minutes.

“Then it’s a long straight ball from their kick-off, we could head it clear and we head it out for a corner. That’s the first mistake, the second mistake is not defending it.

We can talk about ifs and buts, I’d rather not play well and win 1-0. We’ve played scintillating stuff at times and the dressing room is as flat as a pancake and we have nothing for our efforts.

“I’ve said to the players, when you face adversity you need to come together and keep your discipline and shape, and we didn’t do that.

“We lost our way for 15 minutes, turned the game into a battle which, when you’re playing the land of the giants, is not the right way to do.”

“We’ve played scintillating stuff at times and the dressing room is as flat as a pancake and we have nothing for our efforts.

“But I believe in the boys, and if I was a fan I’d say we will go on a run at some point with the quality we have got.”

The Dons face the long trip to Carlisle United this weekend – last season fans who made the trip were treated to a 4-4 draw.

Frustration: Andy Barcham rues a missed chance 

This time round, following Tuesday night’s disappointment, Ardley has promised the side will be ready to bounce back.

He said: “We’ll go up by train on Friday – and the players wil have no excuses come 3pm on Saturday.

“They will be prepped, they will know exactly how we’re going to play, they will know the team and they will have worked on set pieces, I can assure you of that.

“We will ask them to deliver again and that’s what they have got to do, we’re three games into the season and if we looked like a team with no shape or quality, then fair enough, but I don’t think we’re at that point.”