Tranmere Rovers lost out by four goals to one in Wimbledon on Saturday afternoon.
Nigel Adkins named an unchanged eleven from last week’s victory over Accrington Stanley, with the only change to the team seeing Lee O’Connor fit enough to return on the bench in place of the injured Chris Merrie.
Rovers were straight on the front foot, Sam Taylor seeing his shot fly just over the bar after a Josh Hawkes cross two minutes in.
Tranmere took the lead just five minutes into the contest, Connor Jennings turning in a corner to put his side ahead.
Rovers fans partook in a minute’s applause on the 15th minute to remember the young girl who tragically lost her life in the previous day’s accident on the M53, aged just 15.
Wimbledon got back on level terms on 21 minutes when Armani Little’s shot was deflected past Luke McGee.
The hosts sustained pressure for the ensuing ten minutes but strong defending from Rovers and saves from McGee kept them at bay until the 32nd minute, when Ali Al-Hamadi was sent through on the keeper to put Wimbledon ahead.
Wimbledon continued to push on and ultimately took a one-goal lead into the break.
Rovers made two changes at the break as Harvey Saunders and Kieron Morris replaced Sam Taylor and Brad Walker.
Jordan Turnbull was shown a red card on 53 minutes for a foul on the halfway line.
Wimbledon grabbed another on 62 minutes, Al-Hamadi scoring his second of the game.
Al-Hamadi scored again for his hat-trick late in the contest as Wimbledon ran out 4-1 winners.
AFC Wimbledon: Alex Bass, Jake Reeves (C), Ryan Johnson, James Tilley (Neufville, 78), Ali Al-Hamadi (Davison, 89), Armani Little, Omar Bugiel, Jack Currie, Aron Sasu, Joe Lewis, Isaac Ogundere.
Subs: Nik Tzanev, Lee Brown, Harry Pell, Josh Davison, Josh Neufville, Alex Pearce, James Ball.
Tranmere Rovers: Luke McGee, Dan Pike (O’Connor, 74), Tom Davies (C), Joe Yarney, Jordan Turnbull, Brad Walker (Morris, 46), Regan Hendry, Connor Jennings, Sam Taylor (Saunders, 46), Josh Hawkes, Charlie Jolley (Dennis, 74).
Subs: Joe Murphy, Lee O’Connor, Kieron Morris, Kristian Dennis, Harvey Saunders, Rob Apter, Connor Wood.