The BURKS

Substitute Andy Barcham rescued a point in Wally Downes' first game as AFC Wimbledon boss after they were held 1-1 by Rochdale.

Barcham rifled in from the edge of the box to cancel out Calvin Andrew's first-half effort, which keeps the Dons second from bottom in League One.

The hosts started brightly with Jake Jervis having a penalty appeal waved away and Will Nightingale heading straight at Josh Lillis moments later.

Rochdale started to dominate and, on 35 minutes, took the lead. Joseph Rafferty skipped down the right wing before fizzing in a cross, which was bundled in by Andrew.

The Dons returned after the break with a renewed vigour and almost instantly levelled, but Hanson headed over from six yards and a deflected Scott Wagstaff volley was palmed away by Lillis.

As the rain swept in Wimbledon were prodding and probing trying to find a way back into the game and just before 70 minutes they equalised. A long throw into the box fell to Barcham who fired in from 20 yards.

Hanson then almost put the hosts ahead but shot straight at Lillis after racing through one-on-one.