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Bristol Rovers claimed a point on their travels at AFC Wimbledon this afternoon - but slipped back into the thick of the relegation scrap following wins for some of their fellow strugglers.

Victories for both Northampton Town and Wycombe Wanderers as Darrell Clarke's side battled through a scrappy goalless draw at Kingsmeadow left Rovers just four points clear of the League Two relegation zone with five games of the season remaining.

As for the game, it was one that won't live too long in the memory of anyone who was there being as it was devoid of any real quality in forward areas from either side.

Wimbledon went closest to breaking the stalemate through when Rovers were caught napping at the back to allow striker Jack Midson the chance to latch on to a rudimentary long ball over the top in the first-half.

Midson ghosted between Tom Parkes and Mark McChrystal and managed to round goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall, but his attempts to convert were thwarted by retreating defenders and his shot was eventually blocked.

The striker also forced Mildenhall into a couple of other saves of note during the second-half, while, going the other way, Rovers never really got going at all - although manager Darrell Clarke will be encouraged by another clean sheet from his side and with the desire they showed to scrap away in what was a pretty physical affair.

The opening 20 minutes, meanwhile, had been one of attrition before Wimbledon managed to carve out what could be described as the first chance; George Francomb's header at the far post easily claimed by Mildenhall.

Rovers were presented with their first 'chance' from a Michael Smith's long throw in the 24th minute, but when the ball fell kindly in the penalty area, John-Joe O'Toole slashed at it wildly and it ended up in the car park.

On-loan Crystal Palace striker Kwesi Appiah then pulled a shot wide after a neat turn to evade the attentions of Tom Lockyer before Sean Clucas aimed an effort from distance straight at goalkeeper Ross Worner at the other end.

Wimbledon showed plenty of desire to attack from the wings and Lockyer had to be alert to clear the ball from under the crossbar off his head on a couple of occasions before Midson was unable to tuck away the best chance either side had crafted.

Francomb then rippled the top of the net when firing an effort from distance over the crossbar before the referee brought a less-than-enthralling opening period to an end.

An injury to Tom Lockyer allowed Darrell Clarke to bring Alefe Santos into the action and change the formation to a 4-4-2 as the two sides returned for the second-half - but it was Wimbledon that warmed to the task quickest.

Midson capitalised on a momentary lapse of concentration from Seanan Clucas to nick the ball and force Mildenhall into a fine one-handed save to repel an effort that dipped and swerved en route to goal in the 52nd minute.

A positive move from Rovers boss Clarke then followed - defensive midfielder Clucas replaced by Steven Gillespie - but chances at either end still remained at a premium.

That was until McChrystal and Parkes got themselves in a pickle underneath another long ball to allow Midson another chance to find the net in the 78th minute - but Mildenhall got down low at his near post to make a good save with his legs before Lee Brown got his body in the way of Francomb's attempt to convert the rebound.

Rovers (3-5-2): Mildenhall; Lockyer (Santos, 46), Parkes, McChrystal; Smith, Clucas (Gillespie, 56), O'Toole, Clarke, Brown; Harrold, Mohamed. Subs: Gough, Clarkson, Harrison, Harding, Beardsley.

AFC Wimbledon (4-4-2): Worner; Fuller, Jones, Antwi, Richards; Francomb, Morris, Pell, Sweeney (Sainte-Luce, 65); Midson (Wyke, 87), Appiah (Hylton, 65). Subs: Arthur, Brown, Moore, Nicholson.

Referee: T Robinson

Att: 4,322 (625)