Despite taking an early lead and dominating the majority of the second half, Wrexham, those bonniest of FA Cup fighters, were unable to pull off another shock at the Racecourse Ground last night. This was mainly because of two excellent first-half goals by Michael Hughes, a member of the West Ham side knocked out by Wrexham in last season's competition.
Wimbledon had fair warning of Wrexham's attacking capabilities before Karl Connolly gave the Welsh club a seventh-minute lead. Neil Wainwright had shot into the side netting and then Gareth Owen struck a powerful right-foot drive too close for Neil Sullivan's comfort.
Indeed, the whole Wimbledon side looked remarkably uneasy as Wrexham's star-burst of attacks rained down on them, and Owen eventually instigated the early breakthrough. With Kenny Cunningham desperately trying to hold the midfield player back, Owen crossed, Neil Roberts stopped the ball dead and Connolly struck it beyond Sullivan.
Wimbledon were undoubtedly rattled and Vinnie Jones, never one to bottle up his emotions, was booked as Wrexham's pressure increased. Another home goal at this point might have ignited this replay and Wayne Phillips went close. Then suddenly it was all over.
Wimbledon equalised with a stunning volley from Hughes outside the area which struck the inside of Andy Marriott's left-hand post and pinged into the net.
It was Hughes who scored again shortly after Marcus Gayle's diagonal run had left the home defence floundering. Brian Carey's tackle eventually halted the striker but the ball ran loose and Hughes's left-foot shot again gave Marriott no chance.
Wimbledon's third goal was an uncanny echo of the goal-that-wasn't in the first tie. On that occasion Gayle headed in Neil Ardley's corner in injury-time but the referee, Steve Dunn, had already blown for full-time. This time Gayle again headed in Ardley's corner and, although the linesman flagged an infringement, the referee allowed the goal to stand after a brief consultation. This time the Wrexham fans were anything but pleased with his decision.
However, the Dons' hopes of a quiet second half were rudely shattered when Connolly scored his second only 90 seconds after the interval. Wrexham then had a huge penalty appeal turned down after Mark McGregor had fallen under a challenge from Alan Kimble. But the referee's generosity was clearly not limitless.
Joe Kinnear, whose side now face Huddersfield, said after the game: "I felt we should have been in the hat the last time, but justice has been served now. The linesman flagged for offside for the third goal because he didn't see their player on the back post, but after the referee spoke to him, he gave the goal.
"The crowd were putting a lot of pressure on the referee and we are used to that, but I felt he got it right this time. The refs call it as they see it and Wrexham may feel hard done by, but we should not have had to come and win it a second time.
"Ninety-nine out of 100 refs would have let the last goal stand but they got away with it then but not this time."
Wrexham manager Brian Flynn refused to be drawn on the performance of the referee, although he did claim that Wrexham should have had a penalty when Mark McGregor went down in the box under a challenge from Alan Kimble. "It looked like a penalty to me, but unfortunately the referee did not give it."
Wrexham: Marriott, McGregor, Hardy, Phillips, Ridler, Carey, Wainwright, Owen, Connolly, Roberts, Ward (Chalk 84). Subs not used: Brace, Cartwright, Brammer, Spink. Booked: Ward, Carey. Goals: Connolly 7, 46.
Wimbledon: Sullivan, Cunningham, Kimble, Jones, Blackwell, Earle, Gayle, Perry, M. Hughes, Ardley, Cort (Ekoku 77). Subs not used: C Hughes, Solbakken, Heald, Clarke. Booked: Jones, M. Hughes, Blackwell. Goals: M. Hughes 17, 26, Gayle 35. Att: 9,539.
Referee: S W Dunn (Bristol).
