Neal Ardley has absolved AFC Wimbledon Adebayo Akinfenwa of any blame after it took the striker until his ninth game to open his Dons goals account.

The 32-year-old had failed to hit the target until netting twice in the win over Burton Albion, and hitting the winner against Morecambe last weekend.

However, despite giving the beast some stick about his lack of goals, Ardley recognised the importance of goals to a striker and the fact Akinfenwa was not necessarily to blame.

He said: “It is important for strikers to get goals, the longer it went on the more banter there was, but that is all it was.

“Deep down, we all know how important it is for a new striker to get that first goal.”

He added: “But in truth, we had not been playing to his strengths. We’d not been getting the ball out to the wide players so they can cross for Bayo.

“That is what he needs, he is never going to run behind the defenders, that’s Matt Tubbs’ job.

“Against Burton we had the perfect combination, Tubbs got in behind for his goal and Bayo’s headed in two goals.

“We have to take collective responsibility for the goals, but at the same time, I’m delighted for Bayo.”