Mike Sheron gave Wimbledon a lesson in finishing as relegated Barnsley stole three unlikely points at Selhurst Park.

The Dons wasted a string of chances including a missed penalty from substitute Adam Nowland after Sheron's 13th-minute goal.

After previously picking up just nine points from a possible 66 on their travels, it proved enough to earn Barnsley only their second away win of the season.

Wimbledon's play-off hopes had already been extinguished by recent defeats to Bradford and Wolves, and this result left them with a ninth-place finish.

But Barnsley, consigned to second division status last weekend, went in front from the first chance of the game after 13 minutes.

Kevin Betsy crossed from the right and Sheron ghosted in to send a powerful shot past Wimbledon keeper Kelvin Davis.

Setback

The setback sparked the Dons into life, Patrick Agyemang trying his luck from distance and Neil Shipperley going close with a looping header.

Barnsley's Dave Mulligan was then twice to the fore, first to deny Par Karlsson with a smart block, then with a goal-line clearance from Mark Williams' header.

Hakan Mild also forced a good stop from Tykes keeper Matthew Ghent 10 minutes before half-time.

The pattern continued after the break, with Joel McAnuff, Shipperley and Agyemang all going close, but the goal Wimbledon's play merited failed to materialise.

Barnsley substitute Isaiah Rankin might have put the game beyond their reach with a powerful shot which Davis did well to hold.

But Dean Gorre's clumsy challenge in the area on Trond Andersen with six minutes remaining handed the Dons the perfect opportunity to grab the point they deserved.

However, Ghent, diving to his right, turned Nowland's powerful spot-kick round the post to put the seal on Wimbledon's day.

Wimbledon: Davis, Williams, Willmott, Leigertwood, Hawkins, Andersen, Karlsson, McAnuff, Mild, Shipperley, Agyemang. Subs: Feuer, Byrne, Gier, Nowland, Reo-Coker.

Barnsley: Ghent, Mulligan, Flynn, Morgan, Barker, Bertos, Betsy, Jones, Gorre, Sheron, Dyer. Subs: Marriott, Rankin, Neil, O'Callaghan, Christie.

Referee: P Taylor (Cheshunt)