Dons boss determined not to pay penalty

7:19am Thursday 20th March 2008

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AFC Wimbledon boss Terry Brown has denied practising penalties is negative as he bids to exchange play-off pain for promotion glory.

The Dons chief has suffered his fair share of spot-kick heartache, losing twice in the Nationwide Conference play-offs - once in the final - with former club Aldershot Town.

And a penalty shoot-out defeat to Horsham this season saw the Dons miss out on a potentially lucrative FA Cup run to go with their FA Trophy heroics.

But, after Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Chelmsford City ended fading hopes of the Ryman League Premier Division title, Brown has insisted he will not face disappointment again for the want of trying.

"If there is one thing I have learnt from experience, it is that you have to practise penalties, and the boys will be doing so at every training session until the end of the season," he said.

"People say that is a negative option and that we should be concentrating on beating the team fair and square, but experience tells me these games are nervy and tight affairs. We must be prepared.

"The keepers are important and they will be getting special treatment because they are there for every penalty.

"It is easy to say get your five best penalty-takers on the pitch, but they might be two left-backs and three right wingers, so we have to keep an eye on everyone.

"I lost to Carlisle United in front of 11,000 screaming Cumbrians, which wasn't a pleasant experience, and it won't be happening again."

Luke Garrard's 79th-minute spot-kick gave the Dons a 2-1 lead on Saturday, only for the champions-elect to snatch victory with two goals in the last 10 minutes.

Now, with the play-offs looming, Brown fears no one should his side finish second to secure home advantage.

"You have to be careful what you wish for in these situations because you may get the team you want and then lose," he added. "Our focus is on securing second spot because with that comes two home games in the play-offs.

"We will take anyone and look forward to it."