AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley was so disappointed by his players performance in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Stevenage he refused to carry out his media duties.

Instead, first team coach Simon Bassey was left to the face the music after the Dons' fifth League Two clash without a win dropped them to 13th in the table.

George Francomb’s header on the stroke of half-time was cancelled out by Jamille Matt’s wonderful curling shot.

Dons went behind when Jerome Okimo’s free kick from inside his own half bounced over the head of a flailing Ben Wilson, and they then struggled to mount a serious fightback.

Bassey said: "I'm standing here because the gaffer really feels let down. We won't be accepting those performances at this football club.

"It was a tough game, the conditions played a big part, but they certainly played the conditions better than us.

"We weren't physical enough, we didn't run hard enough – that’s certainly not something this club is renowned for.”

Despite his disappointment, Bassey was adamant that the defeat should not detract from a week in which Dons’ fans dreams came true – on Thursday, December 10 Merton Council’s planning committee approved plans allowing the team to return to the borough.

Cheers and hugging as AFC Wimbledon have Plough Lane stadium plans unanimously approved by Merton Council

He said: “This defeat is a really small thing next to what has happened to this club on Thursday.

“It is bigger than any defeat or victory. It’s a victory for everyone for the last 24 years.

“Everyone has worked hard to get this stadium dream to come true and now we are finally going home."

He added: “I’m very disappointed about the result, but I think we will wake up in the morning and realise we’re going back to Merton.

“Everyone should be smiling and wanting to be at this club when we return there. That is the real focus – to be a part of this club when we return to Plough Lane.”