Paul Robinson does not get many goals, but his second of the season was as important as they come.

His second half “bundled” effort was just enough to scrape past a 10-man Carlisle United side who probably thought they deserved more.

The Dons breakthrough came after Carlisle keeper Mark Gillespie was sent off for bringing down Tom Elliott for a free-kick.

Lyle Taylor’s low effort was well-saved by replacement keeper Dan Hanford, but Robinson was on hand to force the rebound over the line.

He said: “I had a feeling Lyle was going to go that side, and the keeper has actually made a really good save low down, especially as he’d just come on.

“But it just bounced up nicely. It was just a case of try and bundle it over the line any way I possibly could and it has trickled in.

“It was not the prettiest of goals, but it was the moment we needed.”

He added: “Afterwards Carlisle were good, but we stood up to the task and had that little bit of luck when we needed it.

“It was a scrappy 1-0 and a hard-earned three points. We know we were not anywhere near our best, but we stuck to our jobs, ground it out and saw it through.”

Robinson’s second goal of the season has lifted AFC Wimbledon to fifth in the League Two table ahead of this weekend’s crunch clash against third-placed Oxford United at the Cherry Red Records stadium.

“We’re happy to be fifth, but it’s all about the points total at the end of the season,” the 34-year-old said.

“We’ve got a tough run of games on the way, but we’re relishing them.

“Oxford United will be a challenge, but I am sure the atmosphere here will be electric, and we’re really looking forward it.

“We’re confident and we’re in good form, let’s hope we can keep it going – it’s a great opportunity to take points off a team above us.”