Rovers fell to a frustrating 2-0 defeat on an afternoon to forget at AFC Wimbledon.

Two goals for Ali Al Hamadi did the damage for the hosts in a game of few chances and ended with Wimbledon reduced to nine men after the dismissals of Hus Biler and Omar Bugiel for two bookable offences.

Rovers struggled for sustained possession throughout and crafted few moments of threat on a difficult afternoon in south west London.

Grant McCann named the same XI that started the Emirates FA Cup tie against Accrington Stanley a week earlier, with Joe Ironside and Ben Close returning among the substitutes.

Attacking play was distinctly lacking from both sides in the early stages of the game but it was Rovers who had the first opportunity when George Broadbent fired over after meeting a cross from Harrison Biggins.

Tom Anderson produced a vital interception to prevent Al Hamadi gaining sight of goal before defensive partner Joseph Olowu was forced off with a suspected concussion after a collision with Bugiel.

Luke Molyneux fired wide from distance as the two sides struggled for clear opportunities in the final third.

But Wimbledon took the lead two minutes into first half stoppage time. Broadbent was wiped out as he attempted to clear a corner and the ball bobbled around the box before being forced home by Al Hamadi.

McCann sent on Ironside and Kyle Hurst at the break in attempt to force a way into the game for Rovers. While they saw plenty more of the ball than in the opening half, the search for opportunities continued.

And Wimbledon doubled their advantage against the run of play. Anderson slipped as he attempted to deal with Owen Bailey’s headed pass, allowing Al Hamadi space to rifle in an excellent shot from the edge of the box.

Rovers continued to push forward against an increasingly deep Wimbledon side and Hurst saw a shot blocked after being played into the area by Zain Westbrooke.

Biler was sent off on 73 minutes after receiving a second yellow card following a late challenge on Hurst.

It was a struggle to make the advantage count and Close fired well over from 20 yards.

Bugiel lashed out at Bailey off the ball, collecting a second yellow and a red six minutes into time added on in the game’s last action of note.

Rovers: Jones, Nixon, Olowu (Close 26), Anderson, Senior, Biggins (Roberts 84), Bailey, Westbrooke, Broadbent (Ironside 46), Molyneux (Hurst 46), Faal. Subs not used: Bottomley, Maxwell, Wood.