Grant McCann points out what Doncaster Rovers have to 'do more of' after dramatic win over AFC Wimbledon
Grant McCann believes Doncaster Rovers need to “dig in” more after their grit paid off against AFC Wimbledon.
Owen Bailey struck nine minutes into stoppage time to give Doncaster a much-needed 1-0 win at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
It was the club’s first victory in League One since late November and a result that pushed them closer to escaping the relegation zone.
McCann was delighted with the way his side dug in and wants to see more of it in the coming weeks.
Grant McCann’s verdict
He said: “I am pleased for the players, and I am pleased for the fans, I think that has been coming. The win has been coming, I have been sounding a bit like a broken record but about the performance being there but the result not being there.
“The performance wasn’t really there today, but the result was, and we have certainly played much better than that and lost.
“Today was about digging in, being strong and defending our box well and going right to the wire. There is nothing better than a last-minute winner.
“I’m really pleased, but I am more pleased for the players, because they have deserved that.
“Today we weren’t as good as some of our previous games, particularly in spells, but what we did do is dig in, and we have to do more of that. That is what ultimately wins you games.”
The view from the AFC Wimbledon dugout
McCann’s opposite number, Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson, said: “I don’t like that saying [must-win games], what happens if you don’t win? You just have to try and win the next one, don’t you.
“They are big games, they’re big games, and like I said to the group, they have got to stick together. On days like these, this is where you really need to come together as a group.
“It just feels like today, everything has gone against us. We should have had a penalty, the referee is about to send their player off for a really bad tackle, and changes his mind.
“Then obviously our goalkeeper has had a bad moment at the end there. Literally, that’s the difference today. We could be standing here talking about a decent point today because we have had to dig in at the end.
“That’s football, it doesn’t always work like that. We will rally around the group and the goalkeeper, and we go again.”