Neal Ardley earned his managerial crust after ringing the changes to guide AFC Wimbledon into the second round of the FA Cup.

A 3-1 win over York City under the Tuesday night lights came courtesy of a Jack Smith strike and two Matt Tubbs goals – his first in six games.

But it was a cliche tale of two halves after York went into the break 1-0 ahead, and the Dons looking forlorn and lost.

A half-time verbal and a change of personnel mid-way through the second half turned the game around, but Ardley would take no credit.

“I was disappointed with the first, and at half-time I told the lads a few home truths, and they had 15 minutes to up the tempo or I would make my changes.

“They did up the tempo, but I decided to make the changes anyway.”

AFC Wimbledon: Look who's back among the goals

He added: “I don’t know if it was managerial brilliance, if it goes well you can take a little bit of credit and if it goes wrong, people ask what the hell were you doing.

“But the second half was immense. I said to the players afterwards ‘Some of you looked at me thinking you’d done alright in the first half but that second half shows how right I was and how wrong you were because that is what I expect’.”

After stating pre-match that Tubbs would soon be among the goals again, Ardley said: “He has been snatching at a few lately, but it is great for him, they are like buses, none come for a while and then two come at once.”

Dons now face a tricky trip to League Two high-flyers Wycombe Wanderers on December 7.

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