View from Kingsmeadow, Volume 56: Missing the Train Against Crewe Alexandra

Terry Brown's AFC Wimbledon were back at Kingsmeadow for an important Football League Two match with Dario Gradi's Crewe Alexandra. The Dons came into the match with a 7-3-2 record (23 points) and sat in third place on the League Two table.

As for Crewe Alexandra, the Railwaymen were struggling, managing a 4-1-7 record (13 points), and were only six points clear of the relegation zone.

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"The boys are looking forward to facing Crewe on Saturday because both teams like to get the ball down and play," Brown told reporters on Thursday. "Having looked at the report from Saturday's game, Crewe were very unlucky to concede two late goals to Southend, who currently head the table.

"It will be lovely to welcome Dario Gradi, who was a very successful manager when the Dons first made the Football League. His success is built around his footballing ethos. It will certainly be a challenge to pit our wits against a team playing to his design on Saturday.

"Our players go into Saturday's game on the back of fine wins against Gillingham and Morecambe. My job is to ensure that their feet are firmly on the ground and that they work harder than Crewe on the day."

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Last season, Crewe Alexandra finished in 10th place in League Two with a record of 18-17-11 (65 points). Shaun Miller is Crewe's top returning goal scorer, with 18 goals in all competitions last season. This season, Miller again leads the team with six goals.

After a scoreless first half, Crewe opened the scoring in the 46th minute thanks to Nick Powell. Christian Jolley, who has been on a hot streak, equalized for Wimbledon in the 61st minute.

In the 80th minute, Adam Dugdale headed in a long delivery to reclaim the lead for the Railwaymen. A.J. Leitch-Smith sealed matters in the 89th minute to make it a 3-1 victory for Crewe.

The result is not welcoming news for the struggling Dons, who have a certain team managed by a certain Steve Evans coming down for a visit next week.

Kickoff between AFC Wimbledon and Crawley Town at Kingsmeadow is scheduled for Saturday, October 22 at 7 a.m. PT/10 a.m. ET.