Dons boss Jackson can see lots of positives despite 2-0 friendly loss to Reading

Johnnie Jackson reckons AFC Wimbledon can take a lot of positives despite their defeat to Reading last night.

The Dons lost 2-0 against the Championship outfit at Plough Lane as goals from Yakou Meite and Jeff Hendrick secured victory for the Royals.

Jackson said: “There was a lot of positives to take from the evening, it was a much improved performance from Saturday. We moved the ball a lot better for big spells, especially the first half – we were pretty much a match for them. We were unfortunate to go in a goal behind.

“Even in the second half, we kept trying to do the things that I want the lads to try and implement – playing out, playing through the thirds and they tried to keep doing that until the very end.

“We probably didn’t quite get what we deserved, we definitely deserved a goal. We obviously had the penalty that we missed and that can happen.

“A couple of other moments, ball off the line from a corner. I was desperate for the lads to get a goal because their efforts on the evening deserved it.

“I’m really pleased with them both [Davison and Maghoma], they have only trained one day with the group and haven’t been here since the start of pre-season – getting used to what we’re doing.

“They both slotted in really well. Paris got on the ball for us, got us ticking and Josh brought us a bit of power and pace upfront – they’ll definitely help the group.

“It’s been good [pre-season], just trying to see improvements every game so tonight I’m really pleased because it was a step on from the weekend.

“Tonight I saw signs of the stuff that we’re working on all the time. Now looking forward to the Oxford game, that’s exactly what I want to see – another step in the right direction.”