AFC Wimbledon 2-3 Salford City: Last gasp Hendry brace saves Salford blushes

A missed penalty and two goals in the space of four minutes courtesy of Callum Hendry saw Salford rise back in to the playoffs.

Salford went behind after just seven minutes when Leicester City loanee, Kasey McAteer, fired past Alex Cairns on the half-volley from the edge of the box.

The Ammies remained determined though, with Matty Lund and Ethan Galbraith both firing wide from good opportunities for the visitors.

However, Salford, who came in to the game with just one win in their last four away games, went into the break behind.

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/SuI9VV83J7

— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) April 10, 2023

Neil Wood signalled his attacking intent at half time, as he brought on striker, Matt Smith, for midfielder, Ethan Galbraith.

Just ten minutes in to the second half and the tactical alteration appeared to have worked.

Salford pulled themselves level via Conor McAleny after he got on to the end of a long ball due to a miscommunication in Wimbeldon’s defence, his first goal for the club in over a month in the 3-1 victory over Newport County.

The good feeling was short lived, however. Wimbledon were ahead again just three minutes later.

This time, Ali Al-Hamadi met a Dialleng Jaiyesimi cross and fired a half-volley from close range past Cairns at the near post.

Ten minutes later and Salford were lucky to still be in the game. McAteer squandering a huge opportunity to score his second of the game and Wimbledon’s third.

As the game moved into stoppage time, Louie Barry burst past two Wimbledon defender and beat goalkeeper Nathan Broome to his heavy touch, the goalkeeper bring the young winger down and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

Up stepped Salford’s top scorer, Callum Hendry, with the game at his feet. He fired low and hard but Broome redeemed his previous error by guessing the right way and saving the penalty to keep his side ahead.

Salford City forward Louie Barry’s dad was so frustrated when they missed that penalty he threw and broke his glasses.

They still came back and won 3-2.

Hear all about it on the Big Match Verdict#SalfordCity #bbcefl #bbcfootball

— BBC Sport Manchester (@BBCRMsport) April 10, 2023

Salford were starring down the barrel of a second successive defeat and a huge dent to their playoff hopes.

But Salford refused to give up. Just a minute later and Hendry was at the back-post to tap home after Ibou Touray headed back across goal.

It was 2-2 and it looked like Salford had snatched a point at the death.

Salford weren’t done. Two minutes after equalising, Ibou Touray played a low ball across to Hendry, who smashed the ball back across goal and into the Wimbledon net on the turn.

Salford were ahead, Callum Hendry was without a shirt and two-hundred Salford City fans that had travelled to the capital were falling over each other in celebration.