Oxford United’s playoff hopes were dealt a significant blow as the U’s lost 2-1 at AFC Wimbledon.
Oxford took the lead just seven minutes into the second half through Josh Ruffels but the Dons scored twice in two minutes to turn the tie.
The defeat leaves the U’s just one place and one point off the playoffs but have played two more games than sixth-placed Charlton.
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Karl Robinson made one change from Saturday’s dramatic win over Gillingham with Mark Sykes returning from injury in place of Anthony Forde.
Jack Steven began in goal behind a back four of Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore and Saturday’s hero, Sam Long.
Cameron Brannagan sat in front of the defence behind Sykes and Henry. Mide Shodipo continued on the left in the absence of Brandon Barker with Elliot Lee on the right with Matty Taylor up top.
Both sides headed into the game having won their last three games. For Oxford, the nine points moved them into the top six for the first time all season while the results had moved the Dons out of the bottom four.
As a result, the game started quickly and Henry came close inside five minutes but was unable to beat Nik Tzanev at his near post.
Henry was involved again shortly after, playing a delightful ball through to Sykes, but the U’s midfielder was bundled off the ball and claims of a penalty were waved away.
Long, who had netted three goals in two games, tried to lob Tzanev from 40-yards but the goalkeeper did well to tip the ball over.
At the other end, Stevens denied George Dobson in what was the hosts’ best opportunity of the first half.
It didn’t take long for the U’s to break the deadlock after the break. The ball was played wide to Sykes who then found Shodipo before the winger laid it back to Ruffels to tuck the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Moments later, Brannagan almost caught Tzanev off guard with a free-kick from inside his own half, but for a second time he tipped it over.
Then came the turning point. Nesta Guinness-Walker won a corner and the cross was whipped in, but Henry stopped the ball on the line with his hand. The midfielder was sent off and a penalty was awarded. Stevens was sent the wrong way by top-scorer Joe Pigott to level the game.
Then, just one minute later, Wimbledon won the ball back and Alex Woodyard smashed home from 15 yards to give the hosts the advantage.
Robinson made changes but a repeat of the turnaround against Gillingham looked unlikely. In fact, the Dons looked the likelier team to score, with Ryan Longman firing wide.
The defeat leaves the U’s one point off the playoffs but Robinson’s side have played more games than the other team’s around them in the table.
