Manager Gareth Ainsworth challenged his Gillingham players to show they could match a promotion-chasing team, and they delivered.
Joe Gbode grabbed the winner for the Gills at Priestfield as they took maximum points against the Dons.
Report: Gillingham 1 AFC Wimbledon 0
Ainsworth said: “I said to the boys, ‘this is one of the top teams in the league and they’re going for automatic promotion. Let’s see where we are’. They showed me that they’re in a pretty good place.
“If you came and watched that game as a neutral, and didn’t know where the teams were, you wouldn’t be able to pick which team’s in the play-offs. There was no dominance.
“They’re a big physical team. They’re obviously very good at what they do, and (manager) Johnnie Jackson’s done a brilliant job.
“I love AFC Wimbledon. It’s the Wimbledon. It’s south-west London. That’s where it should be. That’s brilliant. But, sorry Wimbledon fans, I wanted to win that one because I need to try and build something here.
“There’s not much in the league at times and it’s those moments of quality that can win and lose games, especially at this level.
“It’s a great finish and I’m sure Joe will be pleased but we’ll get more goals to Joe.”
Reflecting on the performance overall, Ainsworth was delighted with the character his team showed to get the win.
“Amazing,” he said. “The players were absolutely outstanding for me.
“They emptied every bit of energy they had out there. We were bringing players off who couldn’t walk anymore. They’ve put that much into the game.
“We had a game plan and once again, I had a 15-minute session to work on it with the players on Sunday. We worked on some shape, which I thought might cause Wimbledon a problem.
“They’re very direct, they’re very strong and big, and the set-plays were threatening. I said to the boys, ‘you match them physically, mentally, and running stats we have a hell of a chance because you’re good football. ‘You can play, boys’.
“I thought we played the majority of the good stuff. I thought we really did knock the ball around well and what a phenomenal goal to win the game.
“The defending, a clean sheet, which is fabulous to see. When there’s a block late on, the two boys chucking themselves at it, winning every header in the box, no matter what they chucked at us, we stood up and were resilient.
“I thought we could have got a little bit more decision-wise. There’s a penalty maybe in the first half where they come through the back of Conor (Masterson).
“I think it’s pretty clear. I thought there was just a little bit of inconsistency for me, in my opinion. But the refs do a great job.
“I wouldn’t like to be a referee and I must be a nightmare for the fourth officials. They need to put a lead on me, I think. But we got the win.
“I’m really proud of the boys. There are some good players in this building. It’s that identity now and that togetherness and that structure and organisation that we’ll bring.
“Hopefully we’ll get more days like that. It’s not always going to go well, but it’s okay at the moment and to the fans, ‘thank you’.”
Ainsworth was also keen to acknowledge a man who he said had played a big part in his career, who recently died.
He said: “There was a guy from my local church in Blackburn, Mick McGrath, who died, a centre-half for Blackburn Rovers.
“He died at 89 over the weekend. He really helped me in my playing career early on. I just want to give him a mention because not a lot of people probably remember a player from the 1960s, 70s, but he was great for me when I was young. I’m sure Mick will be smiling about that one.”
