Wimbledon 1-0 Brighton

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Stuart Murdoch's Wimbledon sealed their first victory of the season thanks to Neil Shipperley's penalty after 73 minutes.

The goal was just reward for Wimbledon's endeavour, although just 628 Dons fans were there to witness the win as they were comprehensively outnumbered by Brighton's travelling contingent.

Wimbledon started the second half strongly and Brighton keeper Michels Kuipers twice had to be on his toes to keep out efforts from Shipperley and Peter Hawkins.

The home side gained the breakthrough when the referee pointed to the spot after Danny Cullip's foul on Wayne Gray, and Shipperley made no mistake with the penalty.

Wimbledon had slightly the better of the play in the opening 45 minutes but were unable to create a clear-cut chance.

The Dons, still under fire from stay-away fans angry at their projected move to Milton Keynes, were desperate to get some points on the board having taken just a single point from their opening three games.

In contrast Brighton had made a steady start after winning promotion last season and they included new signing Paul Kitson in their line-up.

Brighton created the first opening, but Paul Brooker's shot flew over the bar.

The home side gradually settled after a cautious start and Kuipers saved Shipperley's effort from 18 yards.

Although play continued to switch from end to end during the opening quarter of an hour, chances were at a premium as a series of free-kicks conceded by both sides disrupted the flow of the game.

Kitson's first opportunity arrived midway through the half, but the former West Ham striker saw his left-foot shot saved by Kelvin Davis.

Wimbledon's Jermaine Darlington then tried his luck from 25 yards, but his effort was wide of the target.

As the home side pressed forward, Joel McAnuff had a chance but keeper Kuipers was equal to his shot from 18 yards.

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Wimbledon: Davis, Darlington, Williams, Willmott, Hawkins, Karlsson, Andersen, Francis, McAnuff, Shipperley, Gray. Subs: Ainsworth, Heald, Mild, Nowland, Gier.

Brighton: Kuipers, Watson, Cullip, Pethick, Mayo, Hart, Carpenter, Oatway, Wilkinson, Kitson, Brooker. Subs: Rogers, Marney, Melton, Hinshelwood, Petterson.

Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent).