Exeter City's dismal run of results continued as they threw away the chance of victory in going down to a 2-1 defeat at AFC Wimbledon.
Jack Midson's early own goal gave the Grecians the perfect start, but the Dons striker turned from villain to hero by netting their second half winner as the Grecians turned in a very disjointed display.
The defeat keeps Exeter six points above the League Two drop zone, but surely now it is time to focus on staying in the division rather than talk of a play-off place given their recent form and run of results.
Manager Paul Tisdale made three changes to the side that started at Bristol Rovers. Liam Sercombe missed out through injury and Matt Gill took his place, while Pat Baldwin and Alan Gow made way for Jimmy Keohane and Arron Davies.
Davies was in the action early on with a smart pass inside for Matt Grimes on the left and from an acute angle, he forced Ross Worner into an instinctive stop at his near post with a fierce drive.
Grimes then saw a goal-bound corner kick turned round the post by Worner, but from his next delivery, the ball hit Jack Midson and ended up in the Dons net under pressure from Tom Nichols.
It was a really good start from the Grecians, who were camped in the Dons half and pinging the ball round with real confidence. Keohane should have made it 2-0, but from a superb Jordan Moore-Taylor cross, he volleyed over the bar from close range.
Wimbledon came close to an equaliser when a Darren Jones header was well saved by Artur Krysiak and Bennett was on hand to clear the danger. But it was Exeter, playing into a strong wind, who looked the better side.
Davies saw a shot blocked before Luke Moore picked up the first booking of the afternoon for a poor tackle on Exeter captain Danny Coles.
Krysiak almost fumbled a Callum Kennedy corner into his own net, but the ball dropped just the right side of the upright from Exeter's point of view and Kennedy hobbled off moments later. Still the Dons looked threatening from set plays though with Alan Bennett heading straight at Krysiak.
However, Will Antwi had the best chance for the Dons when a Luke Moore corner was headed back across goal, but the defender headed straight at Krysiak from inside the six yard box.
Exeter then felt they should have had a penalty when Nichols was bundled to the floor, but nothing was given and Davies wasted a good chance by firing straight at Worner after good work by Grimes and Keohane in midfield.
Antwi fired high over the bar as Exeter half cleared another Luke Moore free kick, but with their next attack, Dons drew level. Midson got the better of Scot Bennett on the Wimbledon right and crossed low for Luke Moore to bundle the ball over the line.
It was Wimbledon who were on top now and Sammy Moore tested Krysiak with a volley from distance, but again, the Pole was in the right place to collect the ball.
The Dons midfielder then received a yellow card for an ugly late tackle on Grimes, which left the City midfielder writhing in agony. It could easily have broken his ankle, but thankfully, Grimes got to his feet, albeit gingerly and helped by physio Andy Proctor.
That brought the half to a somewhat ugly end and Tisdale was quick to vent his anger at referee Steve Rushton as the players headed down the tunnel. Quite rightly too - it was the kind of tackle the authorities are looking to outlaw from the game and Grimes was still in some distress long after the rest of the players had left the field.
It was no surprise that Grimes - arguably Exeter's best player in that first half - didn't come out for the second, replaced at the break by John O'Flynn - and the Irishman should have scored with virtually his first touch.
After touching on Krysiak's booming goal kick to Wheeler, the winger's cross was delightfully back-heeled into the path of O'Flynn by Nichols, but he blazed wildly over the bar from ten yards. It was a gilt-edged chance.
Davies fired high with an ambitious attempt from distance and from another long-ranger - this time from Keohane - Worner spilled the ball and Nichols put the loose ball away. However, the flag had gone up for offside.
Nichols then sent a shot narrowly wide with a lovely effort from 25 yards, but against the run of play, Wimbledon went in front.
Kevin Saint-Luce got the better of Moore-Taylor and his low cross was turned in by Midson from close range. With the home fans still celebrating, it led to an incredibly fierce and sudden downpour with thunder and lightning thrown in to boot.
Sam Parkin and Alan Gow were summoned from the bench in place of Wheeler and Davies and Gow was soon trying his luck from distance only for the ball to drift wide.
Coles struck a deflected effort that Worner saved easily and Butterfield's drilled shot was also at the home goalkeeper. However, Exeter were running out of time - and ideas - as the game drifted into two minutes of additional play.
Those seconds ticked by with no alarm for the Dons after a frankly dire second half for Exeter. The alarm bells are beginning to sound. The Grecians are in a real fight to stay in League Two.
AFC Wimbledon (3-5-2): Worner; A Bennett, Jones, Antwi; Fuller, S Moore, Pell, Wyke, Kennedy (Arthur 28); Midson (Francomb 84), L Moore (Sainte-Luce 67). Substitutes (not used): Brown (gk), Sheringham, Morris.
Goal: L Moore 37, Midson 74
Bookings: L Moore, S Moore
Exeter City (4-5-1): Krysiak; Butterfield, Bennett, Coles, Moore-Taylor; Wheeler (Parkin 78), Gill, Keohane, Grimes (O'Flynn h-t), Davies (Gow 79); Nichols. Substitutes (not used): Pym (gk), Baldwin, Woodman, Gosling.
Goal: Midson (og) 4.
Referee: S Rushton
Attendance: 4,410
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