Dons keeper eyes play-offs

James Shea in action for AFC Wimbledon at Mansfield

Town head to the Cherry Red Records stadium on a near-equal footing with last term’s League Two play-off final winners AFC Wimbledon.

The two clubs are level on points but the Dons are just one place above Uwe Rosler’s men at seventh spot in the League One table due to a narrow, superior one-goal difference.

Both sides are just one point off a play-off spot and a win could see either climb up into the top six if other results fall in their favour.

And ex-Arsenal prodigy Shea says the Dons are just taking it one step at a time in their first ever season in the third tier.

He said: “Who knows? We’re going to take it one game at a time and see where we are at the end of the season.

“We go again on Saturday against Fleetwood and see where we are at the end of the season.”

Shea enjoyed the atmosphere behind the goal during the Dons’ 0-0 draw at Millwall’s Den in midweek and believes their ‘moaning’ regarding his timewasting meant he was doing something right.

He said: “I really enjoy it as I like to think if they’re moaning at you they’re doing something right. It was a good atmosphere and it was good to get something.

“It’s a good hard earned point. It wasn’t a pretty game.

“I’m over the moon with a clean sheet and we’ve got a good point. We know we can play better than how we did but we’ve got a point.”

Shea started the season as number two but, since Ryan Clarke’s departure, has got the nod in goal.

And he says he is determined to keep hold of the No.1 spot.

He said: “I’m loving it at the minute. Since I’ve got back in. I’ve enjoyed training every day. I’ve got to keep doing well and keep my place.

“I’d be lying if I wasn’t concerned. I’ve got a family now and need to think of them. I got a bit of luck and I need to stay in the side now.

“We’ve done well since the Charlton game. We’ve got good wins away and good wins at home and drew at Millwall with 10 men. We’ve got to go again on Saturday.”

Ardley, for his part, took a more pragmatic approach to the possibility of back-to-back promotions after the draw at Millwall.

He said: ““Let’s get to 53 points as quick as we can and then try and have a really good season from there on in.”

Dons defender Jon Meades was sent off in their 0-0 draw at the Den for two bookable offences and is therefore suspended for Fleetwood’s visit tomorrow.