AFC Wimbledon’s preparation for the Blue Square Premier got off to a losing start but there was still plenty for the manager and fans to take away from the friendly opener.

League One’s Wycombe Wanderers provided the stiff opposition and they won it with Matt Harrold’s 78th minute effort.

He was, of course, the striker that put paid to the Dons in the sides’ FA Cup meeting last November.

The lanky forward fired a hat-trick in front of the TV cameras as Wimbledon went to pieces at the back in the cup in 2008.

It was much more even this time around and boss Terry Brown was less downbeat this time after lambasting his side in last season’s meeting.

“Well, we certainly defended a bit better that last year!” said Brown, the Wimbledon manager.

“Of course it was a totally different game but Wycombe seem even bigger than last time they came. It was like the land of the giants!

“I watched this league a lot last season and it’s what we have to expect. For all the football you want to play, if you can’t deal with that physical presence, you’re going to lose games.

“We played 23 players today, we thought it was the right thing to do. It wasn’t the best game, pre-season is always like that, it was never going to be a classic! But we gave a good account of ourselves and our fitness looked good.”

The first half was mainly Wycombe, who fielded Carl Cort – the ex-Wimbledon striker sold to Newcastle in 2000 for £7 million. He shot over the bar as the Football League side settled quicker.

The Dons did improve after the break. Bringing basically on a whole new team, with Jon Main and Elliott Godfrey introduced to good affect, things got better.

Both had chances but couldn’t take advantage and Ricky Wellard, the signing from Ashford, went close from distance.

Main could have won a penalty but Wanderers snatched it when Harrold made the most of some suspect home defending to muscle his way through and roll the ball into the net.

Brown will now turn his attention to getting in his own Harrold – a big frontman to push Danny Kedwell, Main and Luke Moore for a starting place.

“I’ve missed out on one striker today but it would be nice to bring in a big, strong centre-forward,” added Brown. “Whether we can afford that luxury is another question. Those type of players are an expensive species.”

Peter Taylor, the Wycombe manager, said: “I thought it was a bit too early to be playing a team with the strength of AFC Wimbledon, but when we got their offer to play here we knew it would be a good contest.

“We enjoyed the day and enjoyed the result. It’s good to be back in match action.”