Myles Hippolyte's 88th-minute goal delivered AFC Wimbledon their first Sky Bet League One victory of the 2026/27 season as the Dons edged past Wigan Athletic 1-0 at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Coming just three days after a 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Premier League side Fulham, Johnnie Jackson's side showed resilience and determination to claim all three points in a tightly contested encounter. The breakthrough arrived late when substitute Donnell McNeilly, on loan from Nottingham Forest, played an inch-perfect through ball for Hippolyte, who coolly slipped the ball past Wigan goalkeeper Joe Walsh.
Wimbledon made five changes from the midweek cup tie, with Joe McDonnell returning in goal in place of Nathan Bishop and Ryan Johnson stepping in to captain the side. Jayden Stockley led the line, while new signing McNeilly started on the bench. Wigan made just one alteration, bringing Connor Barrett into defence.
The hosts nearly took an early lead when Stockley raced clear, only for Walsh to recover and reclaim the ball on the edge of his area. Wigan responded with threat of their own. Jensen Weir saw a cross-cum-shot loop onto the crossbar after a cleared free-kick, while Dara Costelloe fired narrowly wide from inside the box. Archie Harris, introduced as a substitute, blazed over when unmarked from the edge of the area.
Steve Seddon went closest for the Dons in the first half with a 25-yard free-kick that skimmed past the post. McDonnell produced a strong save late in the half to keep the scores level at the break.
The second half continued in a similar vein. McDonnell denied Barrett after the Wigan man was picked out in the area, and Alistair Smith tracked back effectively to snuff out a counter-attack. From a Zack Nelson free-kick, Dan Sweeney back-heeled the ball into a crowded six-yard box, where Seddon struck the post before Wigan cleared.
Wimbledon pushed for a winner. Junior Nkeng, on as a substitute, struck the side-netting after good work involving Seddon and McNeilly. Stockley headed over from a promising position with five minutes remaining. At the other end, McDonnell produced another fine stop to deny K’Manri Miller as Wigan broke.
Just as a goalless draw appeared inevitable, Hippolyte provided the decisive moment. McDonnell's long clearance was flicked on by Stockley and fell kindly for McNeilly, whose precise pass sent Hippolyte clear to score. Nine minutes of added time followed due to stoppages and substitutions, but the Dons defended resolutely to protect their lead.
Attendance was 7,304, including 426 away supporters. The result lifts AFC Wimbledon to 14th in the early League One table with four points from three matches, while Wigan remain bottom after three successive defeats.
The victory provides a timely boost after a mixed start that included a 3-0 opening-day loss at Huddersfield Town and a 0-0 draw with Reading. Attention now turns to Wednesday's trip to Burton Albion, followed by away fixtures against Bromley and a home clash with Doncaster Rovers.
Hippolyte's intervention underlined the squad's depth and character. With several new faces integrating and experienced heads such as Johnson and Stockley contributing, the Dons will hope this hard-earned win marks the beginning of a more consistent run in the third tier.