AFC Wimbledon chief Terry Brown read the riot act to defender Antony Howard after he was needlessly sent off in the 2-1 victory over Ashford Town on Tuesday.

With the Dons 2-0 up courtesy of a double strike from Tony Finn - who now has 14 goals this season - Frankie' Howard got embroiled in an altercation with an opposing player and was promptly given his marching orders.

And the Dons boss, who gave Howard a severe dressing down in the dressing room at full time, told the Guardian:"I'm not happy at all. My players are told from the start of the season that whenever there is an incident they go over and drag our player away.

"I have been so proud of our disciplinary record which makes me even more disappointed.

"Howard will be fined and, hopefully, my players will learn."

It is the second time in four days the Dons have had disciplinary problems after striker Daniel Webb was sent off in the 2-1 victory at Maidstone United on Saturday after a horror tackle on Conor Hagan.

And Webb found himself on the bench for Tuesday night's victory, with Brown prefering a strike combination of Richard Jolly and John Main.

But Brown dismissed claims that the former Southend target man, who has been fined by the club, was receiving further punishment for Saturday's unsavoury tackle.

"I don't punish players like that, I just punish them in their wage packet," said Brown.

"I will always pick a side I think can win the game.

"I wanted to see Jolly and Main up front because I thought it would force us to play neat football."

The two victories stretched the Dons' winning run to five games, allowing them to narrow the gap on Ryman Premier Division leaders Chelmsford City to eight points with two games in hand.

Finn also scored against Maidstone, with the other goal coming from a Mark De Bolla penalty.

Brown's men visit Tonbridge Angels in the FA Trophy second round on Saturday.

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