What results do AFC Wimbledon need to preserve their League One status this weekend

AFC Wimbledon supporters were given reason to dream big after an excellent start to the season saw them climb as high as fourth in the middle of October.

Winning promotion from League Two via the play-offs in the previous campaign, Wimbledon made an emphatic start to life in the third tier as eight victories from their opening 13 league fixtures lifted Johnnie Jackson's team to within a point of league leaders Cardiff City, but the Dons failed to win another game for the rest of the calendar year as they plummeted down the table.

It's worth remembering that Wimbledon were the favourites to be relegated at the start of the campaign and Jackson's remit was to preserve Wimbledon's League One status.

Five successes from eight matches from February appeared to have put the Plough Lane outfit on course to achieve their objective, but eight defeats from their next nine matches have left Wimbledon loitering perilously above the relegation zone with two games remaining.

Their fate still remains in their own hands as they're perched two points above Exeter City in 21st, but it's set to be a nervy end to the season as they battle to accrue enough points to avoid the drop.

How AFC Wimbledon can secure their League One status against Wigan Athletic

Despite their wretched form, Wimbledon make the trip to the Brick Community Stadium to face Wigan Athletic on Saturday knowing that a win might be enough to spare them of relegation without the trials and tribulations of a nail-biting final day.

If Wimbledon are triumphant against Wigan, who are safe from relegation after embarking on a five-match unbeaten run under Gary Caldwell, and Exeter City fail to beat Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium, the Dons will be safe and Exeter will be relegated.

Anything less than three points from their trip to Greater Manchester means the League One relegation battle will go down to the final day, irrespective of how Exeter fare against Burton.

Wimbledon host a Huddersfield Town side who have nothing but pride to play for on Saturday 2nd May, while Exeter will face Bradford City at St James Park.