AFC Wimbledon's life in the Football League may not have got off to the best start last Saturday, but Brett Johnson won't be disheartened.

The Dons battled back from two goals down at home to Bristol Rovers to get back to 2-2, only to concede a penalty five minutes from time and lose 3-2.

Defensive errors were to blame for all three of The Gas's goals but Johnson believes the experience can only stand him and his team-mates in good stead.

"We have had a good couple of days in training and we talked through what happened," he said.

"We weren't far off the pace really and it is onwards and upwards now.

"A lot of people have said it is a learning curve and it is a bit of a step up but we do not want to be negative about it.

"I thought we took our chances well and we looked a good team.

"Nobody is disheartened, there are still 45 games to play.

"What we did learn last Saturday was that the teams in this League are going to be clinical.

"There were three mistakes and they scored three goals.

"We knew that would be the case, but now we have seen it for ourselves."

The Dons face two more teams this week who were relegated from League One as they travel to Dagenham & Redbridge tomorrow and to Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday night.

"We have three of the toughest opening games, including Crawley Town in the cup," added Johnson.

"And then Plymouth will be another team aiming to bounce back.

"If we can get through this and get a couple of points on the board then we will be looking good."

Johnson and captain Jamie Stuart are Wimbledon's only fit centre backs at the moment with Mat Mitchel-King battling back from glandular fever.

But Johnson insists they are not being wrapped in cotton wool on the training pitch.

"I don't think anything different to be honest and we are not protected that much," he said.

"Centre-halfs are supposed to be going in for challenges and it been the same in training, just as hard.

"Jamie Stuart is as hard as they come, as hard as I have ever seen, and he isn't going to change that."