Ady Pennock believes a clear-the-air discussion after Saturday’s defeat to Oxford paved the way to a spirited draw at AFC Wimbledon.

The head coach was furious at his team’s second half showing at the weekend, when they conceded three goals in eight minutes, but they responded in the right way on Tuesday.

Pennock, whose team played the second half with 10 men after Lee Martin’s dismissal, said: “We showed a lot of courage, a lot of desire and it all came from the chat we had after Saturday’s game.

“We weren’t happy, especially with the second half, and we got a few things out in the open.

"We showed a lot of hunger and desire, the players worked their socks off and I thought we deserved something from the game. It’s difficult when you go down to 10 men but I was very pleased.”

Report: AFC Wimbledon 1 Gillingham 1

Wimbledon bossed the opening stages with numerous chances.

Pennock said: “The first 20 minutes you saw the worst of us and the best of them, they were on top, they started very quickly and we didn’t start well at all, which I was very disappointed about.

“But we dug in. We conceded a goal, went down to 10, but scored before half-time. We regrouped in the changing room and I thought we had a good solid performance in the second half.”

Pennock had faced criticism at Oxford and was stood infront of many of those away fans on Tuesday, with some of them again calling for him to quit.

“I was ready for it,” he said.

“They were swearing at me but I wasn t going to hide, how can I? I’m 6ft 1 and I am never going to hide from anyone. I still clap the fans whatever happens.”

Read more reaction from Pennock in Thursday's Medway Messenger newspaper