AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley says the CRRS pitch is robbing his players of their match-day freedom.
It was left to a late Jack Smith stunner to steal all three points in a 2-1 win over York City on Saturday, and Ardley admitted it was tough afternoon’s work – and not just because of the opposition.
The Dons took the lead when Adedeji Oshilaja headed in George Francomb’s corner after 19 minutes, before Jake Hyde equalised just before half-time.
Both sides pushed forward after the break with the visitors coming closest to scoring when Emile Sinclair’s shot hit the side netting after he rounded keeper Joe McDonnell.
But just as the clock hit 90 minutes, Smith produced a moment of brilliance when his volley from the edge of the box found the top corner.
Ardley said: “It was a really tough game and the boys have given everything again.
Tough afternoon: Adebayo Azeez in Dons 2-1 win over York City
“We just need some grass to grow on this pitch so we can get back to playing with freedom.
“It’s really causing us problems at the moment. I want to entertain and I want the fans to go ‘Oh that was good’, but today it was hard.
“I don’t like making excuses but the pitch doesn’t allow us to play free-flowing football and we got to learn to scrap, which isn’t something we are good.”
A Womble's View: Why are we having a pop at our own keeper?
He added: “But today we scrapped and scrapped and stayed in the game and it was a great moment late on.”
The win ended a three-game run without finding the back of the net, and it was also a first win in four matches.
They remain 11th in League Two, but they reduced the gap on the play-off places to six points.
Midfield battle: Jake Reeves is watched closely by Bradley Halliday
Ardley feels it has been a tough recent period, but says they need to freshen up for another difficult run of matches.
“We are battling, the boys have played a lot of games but they have kept going and they are absolutely out on their feet in that dressing room,” he said.
“We have got to have that balance of a time away and when we are working really hard and we will plan that balance.
“Next weekend we go to Exeter and then Mansfield so we got two real different and tough games coming up.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here