Ipswich Town travel to AFC Wimbledon tonight, looking to put their disappointing recent performances behind them. MIKE BACON takes a look at the opposition.

NEVER SURRENDER DONS

One of the many views from Town fans and pundits a month ago, or so, was that Ipswich looked to have a fairly decent run-in, as the League One season comes to a climax.

Up against many teams in the bottom half of the table - including tonight's opponents, AFC Wimbledon - who Town also have to meet at Portman Road, it looked as though Town could pick up points with ease.

East Anglian Daily Times: AFC Wimbledon's Joe Pigott (centre) celebrates a goal for the Londoners, who had a fine 5-1 win on SaturdayAFC Wimbledon's Joe Pigott (centre) celebrates a goal for the Londoners, who had a fine 5-1 win on Saturday (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

However, the problem for Paul Cook's side is that while they may not be up against many promotion hopefuls during their run-in, they are up against teams battling for their relegation lives.

None more so than tonight's opponents.

AFC Wimbledon enjoyed their biggest win of the season on Saturday - a 5-1 thrashing of Accrington Stanley. They have lost just two of their last six and sit comfortably ahead of Town in the last-six form guide - 11th, to Town's 18th.

PAUL COOK ON the takeover

In the live table, Wimbledon are one point and one place above the relegation zone, in 20th position. Town, despite their indifferent form of late, are still just three points off sixth place and four points off fourth! Town are eighth.

East Anglian Daily Times: AFC Wimbledon manager Mark RobinsonAFC Wimbledon manager Mark Robinson (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

MEET THE GAFFER

AFC Wimbledon boss Mark Robinson certainly has the club running through his veins.

The 55-year-old has been with the Dons since 2004 which, bearing in mind the club was only formed in 2002, means he has been part of the set up since the club's non-league days, as they rose through the leagues.

OUR FUND is $13bn dollars......

Robinson was appointed Interim Manager in January and a month later was appointed head coach.

He holds a UEFA A coaching licence, and has served the Club as Head of Youth, Centre of Excellence Manager, Academy Manager, Lead Professional Phase Coach and Loan Manager, First Team Coach and, most recently, Interim Manager of the first team.

PHOENIX FROM THE FLAMES

AFC Wimbledon were formed in 2002 by former supporters of Wimbledon FC, after the Football Association allowed that club to relocate to Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, about 60 miles north of Wimbledon.

Many Wimbledon FC supporters were strongly opposed to moving the club so far away from Wimbledon, feeling that a club transplanted to a distant location would no longer represent Wimbledon or the club's historic legacy and tradition.

But move they did, in 2003 and Wimbledon formally changed the name of the club to Milton Keynes Dons in 2004.

East Anglian Daily Times: Dwayne Plummer of AFC Wimbledon bends the ball to score the winning goal in their Ryman League Premier Division match against Windsor & Eton FC at Kingstonian FC, in 2006. It has been a long trawl up the non-league pyramid for the now League One Dons.Dwayne Plummer of AFC Wimbledon bends the ball to score the winning goal in their Ryman League Premier Division match against Windsor & Eton FC at Kingstonian FC, in 2006. It has been a long trawl up the non-league pyramid for the now League One Dons. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

So, AFC Wimbledon was formed. But it had to start all over again and began life in the ninth tier of English football, in the Premier Division of the Combined Counties League.

Yet they soon rose up out of non-league and back into League football.

Since its formation, the club has since been promoted six times in 13 seasons, going from that ninth tier to where they are now - in League One - alongside of course... MK Dons!

East Anglian Daily Times: There was a crowd of more than 1,000, including 800 AFC Wimbledon fans when Debenham drew them in the FA Cup at Maitlands.There was a crowd of more than 1,000, including 800 AFC Wimbledon fans when Debenham drew them in the FA Cup at Maitlands. (Image: Archant)

BIG SUFFOLK FA CUP CLASH

As AFC Wimbledon headed up through the non-league pyramid, they entered the FA Cup at an early stage.

Back in September 2007 they drew Eastern Counties First Division side, Debenham LC in the second qualifying round - a plum draw for Debenham.

East Anglian Daily Times: Action from the Debenham v AFC Wimbledon FA Cup clashAction from the Debenham v AFC Wimbledon FA Cup clash (Image: Archant)

It was a grand occasion - and one I reported on. There were more than 800 fans in the near 1,100 crowd - a still record attendance for the Maitlands ground, at Debenham Leisure Centre.

But it was the stronger Wimbledon side who ran out easy winners - 1-5. Debenham's goal coming from the penalty spot - Stu Jopling netting it.

East Anglian Daily Times: There was little goalmouth action the last time these two sides met.There was little goalmouth action the last time these two sides met. (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

THE LAST TIME

The last time Town and AFC Wimbledon met, it was a goalless draw at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, back in February 2020.

Neither side registered a shot on target in the first half - sound familiar? Although Ipswich did register six in the second half.

Rather bizarrely at the time, the result left Wimbledon just outside the League One relegation places and Ipswich just outside the play-off ones - just as things stand today!

COOK: Deliver or leave!

DID YOU KNOW?

AFC Wimbledon Dons hold the record for the longest unbeaten league run in the history of English senior football. The club went 78 league matches without defeat between February 2003 and November 2004.