Dons boss: We won't choke

8:26am Wednesday 23rd April 2008

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Terry Brown has brushed aside talk of Kingsmeadow stage fright by insisting AFC Wimbledon will overcome their stuttering home form in the play-offs.

Saturday's 2-1 defeat to struggling Harlow Town was the Dons' third in the past four home games.

But, with his men guaranteed home advantage in the Ryman Premier Division play-offs, Brown is adamant it will not prove an issue.

He said: "A lot of teams when they come to our place treat it like a cup final and raise their game, but what you have to remember is that the play-offs will be our cup final as well.

"The fans get frustrated when they see us losing to the likes of Harlow but that won't be the case in the play-offs.

"I won't have to fire up the side and I am sure the fans will be 100 per cent behind us."

Saturday was a classic case in point, as the Dons conceded two first-half goals and, despite peppering the visitors' goal, Rob Quinn's late strike was all they managed. Brown, though, remained in bullish mood.

He added: "I have looked at the game on video and we had 13 shots on target and 20 shots off target, but only scored one goal.

"Their keeper had the game of his life and made some world-class saves.

"Then they had two shots on target and scored two goals.

"I will be honest and say, if we have had 33 shots on goal in a game, I expect to win and that will certainly be the case in the play-offs."

Brown faces a predicament this weekend, as the Dons' final league opponents, AFC Hornchurch, are also likely to provide their play-off opposition.

Brown admitted: "I am not sure what system or team I will play.

"Regardless of whom we get in the play-offs, I will want to rest players.

"It is not fair to ask some of my lads to play three games in a week.

"On the one hand, I want a settled side but, on the other, I have to keep things fresh."

Remaining fixture: Apr 26 AFC Hornchurch (a)