Coventry player-manager Gary McAllister's early goal proved enough for his side to beat Wimbledon.

Coventry made the most of the Dons' lack of confidence in front of a crowd of just over 2000.

McAllister gave his side the lead after just eight minutes.

The goal, his third in four games, came from the penalty spot after Mark Williams fouled Jay Bothroyd in the box.

The visitors dominated the opening stages and could have extended their lead soon after but Youssef Chippo's shot from a McAllister corner blazed over the crossbar.

Wimbledon were finding it difficult to get into the game and McAllister, running the game from midfield, forced a couple of saves from keeper Kelvin Davis from corners.

Wasted chances

Runar Normann, who scored the late equaliser for Coventry on Wednesday, had a great chance to double the visitors' lead on the half-hour mark but his shot from six yards out went over the crossbar.

Six minutes later Wimbledon should have been level.

Chippo fouled Alex Tapp and the resultant free-kick from Peter Hawkins found Neil Shipperley unmarked six yards out.

But his weak shot was straight at Fabien Debec in the Coventry goal.

It was the visitors who had the first chance of the second half, but Youssef Safri's 30-yard effort was blocked by the Dons defence.

Shipperley again found Debec with a header from 18 yards out and Coventry immediately broke but Gary McSheffrey's weak shot was easily saved by Davis.

The home side wasted another chance when Trond Andersen's 18-yard strike flew over the bar.

And, Shipperley's bad day at the office continued when he headed over the bar from six yards out from a Jermaine Darlington cross in the 75th minute.

The Dons stepped up the pressure in the last 10 minutes but couldn't find a way through a determined Coventry defence.

Wimbledon: Davis, Darlington, Williams, Gier, Hawkins, McAnuff, Andersen, Francis, Tapp, Nowland, Shipperley. Subs: Ainsworth, Holloway, Heald, Gray, Leigertwood.

Coventry: Debec, Caldwell, Konjic, Davenport, Gordon, Chippo, McAllister, Safri, Normann, Bothroyd, McSheffrey. Subs: Shaw, Eustace, Mills, Hyldgaard, Pipe.

Referee: C Penton (Sussex)