Hayes & Yeading 2-1 AFC Wimbledon

Manager Terry Brown says his side’s reaction to their first defeat of the campaign could well shape the rest of their season.

The controversial defeat knocked Wimbledon off top spot – and saw stubborn Hayes take over the Blue Square South leadership.

And Brown says his team’s response to their first real setback will give telling clues to if promotion to Non-League’s top flight can be achieved.

The manager said: “I have always maintained that how we react when we finally did lose our first league match could dictate what direction we go in.

“I think we’ll now see what we are made off. We were always going to lose at some point and that defeat has come to a very good side.”

Typically, the winner arrived from a former Dons player.

Scott Fitzgerald tapped home to consign Wimbledon to their first defeat but it wasn’t without contention.

The away fans were convinced their old striker had strayed offside but the flag wasn’t forthcoming.

Wimbledon could have changed the outcome of the match had they taken their early chances. Elliott Godfrey from long range and a Jon Main header almost nabbed the all-important lead in the opening stages.

Instead it was Hayes who went ahead with Wimbledon crying foul.

The Dons defenders say Andy Little was impeded as he came for Steve Gregory’s corner. Josh Scott took advantage and headed powerfully home. But in truth it was six of one - and yet another goal conceded from a problematic set piece.

Godfrey went about soothing the pain and smashed the ball into the net following a corner of their own soon after to make it 1-1.

Danny Kedwell then had an effort cleared off the line for the visitors and Hayes’ Fitzgerald saw his shot blocked by former team-mate Little.

But the one-time Wimbledon man did get his goal, profiting from good work from Will Henry and Gregory six minutes before half-time.

The second half was mainly Wimbledon with the best chance falling to Alan Inns, who hit the underside of the crossbar in the dying seconds.

The away fans were left frustrated at the referring performance but Hayes were good value for the points.