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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Collings

Football League run-in: AFC Wimbledon fight for League One survival as Sutton United target dream season

There’s a new manager in the dugout at Plough Lane but he doesn’t have long to make an impact.

Mark Bowen has taken charge of AFC Wimbledon and he has been tasked with securing League One survival in the seven games left this season.

In League Two, it’s a far more positive picture for Sutton United, who are still fighting on two fronts and could wee be reflecting on a dream season come May.

Fight for survival

New boss Bowen vows to do all he can to keep Wimbledon up

AFC Wimbledon are tumbling towards relegation — and they need to stop the slide. The Dons are winless in 21 games in all competitions, a run that dates back to December.

Head coach Mark Robinson was duly sacked this week and the club has moved swiftly to bring in Mark Bowen, who has been out of work since leaving Reading in 2020. He has seven games to save Wimbledon, who are sat 21st.

They are not down and out yet, though, with Fleetwood just a point ahead of them in 20th and Gillingham, who are 19th, four clear of the drop. Home form will be key for the Dons, who have four of their last seven games at Plough Lane.

“Take my word for it, we will all be doing everything possible to keep this proud club in League One,” said Bowen.

(Getty Images)

Living the dream

Sutton bid to end first league seson with a notable double

It could well turn out to be a dream end to the season for Sutton United.

They are at Wembley Stadium on Sunday for the final of the Papa John’s Trophy against Rotherham.

Sutton are also in with a shot of claiming silverware in League Two, given that a play-off finish is within their grasp.

They are 10th in the table, but just two points separates them and Port Vale in fourth. Northampton, who are third and occupy the final automatic promotion spot, are just five points clear of Sutton.

Once Sunday’s Wembley showdown is out the way, Sutton boss Matt Gray will be able to fully focus on the League. They only went up into League Two last season, but their dream of back-to-back promotions could soon be a reality.

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