Connolly’s strike not enough as Don’s unbeaten run ends
Neil Shipperley’s 10th league goal of the season gave the Dons an early lead but Derby equalised through Malcolm Christie to go in level at the break.
Deon Burton put the Rams ahead early in the second half and substitute Lee Morris wrapped up the win before David Connolly headed in what ultimately proved to be a consolation for the visitors.
The visitors went ahead when winger Joel McAnuff advanced down the right and his low cross was sidefooted home by Shipperley as Rams’ goalkeeper Lee Grant failed to get down quickly enough to the shot.
Hawkins made up for his earlier indiscretion by deflecting a cross from Christie out of play after an intelligent pass from Craig Burley, back in the Rams’ line-up after a year out.
However, Christie took full revenge from the resulting 17th-minute corner when he appeared to get the final touch as Elliott headed down Burley’s corner from the left for the equaliser.
The home side were ahead three minutes into the second-half as McLeod hooked in a high cross and Burton headed over Wimbledon goalkeeper Kelvin Davis and in.
Connolly had Wimbledon’s first chance of the half when he raced onto Nigel Reo-Coker’s pass but his powerful shot was well parried by Grant.
Former Sheffield United man Morris, who came on as a sub, then sealed the win with 10 minutes to go, collecting a through-ball from McLeod and turning sharply in the box before letting fly with a shot which beat Davis low down to his left.
Derby’s intensity level dropped and Connolly pulled one back, heading in Darlington’s cross from the left for his 10th goal in six games with two minutes to go.
DERBY: Grant, Evatt, Elliott, Riggott, Barton, Lee, Burley, Boertien, Christie, Burton, McLeod.
WIMBLEDON: Davis, Holloway, Gier, Leigertwood, Hawkins, McAnuff, Andersen, Reo-Coker, Darlington, Connolly, Shipperley.
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