Once again, an injury-time goal by visitors to Home Park snatched a victory away from Argyle Women. 

The Greens were leading Wimbledon 2-1, having seen goals from Giota Papaioannou and Georgia Wilson go in either side of an Ashlee Hincks strike, when substitute Kelly-Jade Whelan looped a header into the net in the third minute of stoppage time. 

Despite the nature of result, which looked like a win for a long time, the point picked up means Argyle move closer to Billericay Town, the side with which Argyle are locked in a battle to stay up in English women’s football’s third tier. 

In a quiet opening to the game, Wimbledon had the first good chance on five minutes, when Dior Knorr hooked goalwards in a crowded penalty, but her effort was well saved by Lily Felgate.

Argyle gradually started to take control of the game, in terms of possession and territory, but were finding it difficult to carve out chances. 

Crosses by Charlotte Whitmore and Taya Pomfret were dealt with, in varying degrees of confidence, by Dons goalkeeper Rose Kite, before Argyle broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark. 

A corner from the left was swung in beautifully by Whitmore, causing strife in the Dons’ six-yard box. A deflection or two and a shot by Caitlin Smith that was blocked on the line followed, before captain Papaioannou blasted home the loose ball. 

Wimbledon almost replied immediately. A deep cross from the left by Hannah Billingham was met by Kaylee Buckingham at close quarters to the far post, but she headed wide of it, rather than inside it, much to the relief of all in green. 

Right on half-time, Argyle nearly made it two, somewhat inadvertently. Imy Crawford was presumably looking to cross, rather than shoot, when she sent in a ball from the right flank, but it took a really good, backpedalling save by Kite to limit the score to 1-0 at the break. 

Wimbledon made a fast start to the second period, putting Argyle under pressure from the off. Knorr rattled the post after being put through, and Argyle were living off scraps, trying to release Whitmore and Ellie Sara on the break, but seeing little of the ball. 

The equaliser came on 55 minutes, when Wimbledon skipper Ashlee Hincks turned inside and struck from 20 yards, into the corner. It was a goal the visitors deserved, and was coming. 

Argyle responded well. First, a nice move down the right involving Whitmore and Wilson led to a throw-in, which in turn was crossed in by Pomfret. Goalkeeper Kite was nowhere near it, but Argyle could not capitalise. 

A minute or so later, Whitmore took down a high ball and slid a pass through to Lulu Jarvis, who attempted to clip over the advancing Kite. The Dons keeper redeemed herself with an excellent stop. 

She could not, though, prevent an unbelievable strike from Wilson just after the hour mark. The Argyle number 10 let fly from well outside the area, and saw the effort strike the bar before rippling the net. 

With 15 minutes of the 90 remaining, Buckingham hit a low effort that went not far past the post, before Argyle substitute Katie Dickson’s long-range effort landed on the roof of the net. 

The game became stretched, and nervy. With Wimbledon pushing up, Argyle looked to counter, and Ella Stephens clipped not far wide after being put through by Whitmore. However, the game had a sting in the tale. 

Wimbledon sent in a cross from the right, and a looping header by Whelan went over Felgate and into the net, breaking Pilgrims hearts. 

The draw, coupled with Billericay’s loss at home to Oxford United, means Argyle now know exactly what they must do on the final weekend of the season, which is on 27 April. Billericay and the Greens are now level on points, with the Essex side having a better goal difference. 

When Billericay play Wimbledon on that day, Argyle are at Gwalia United. The Pilgrims must better Billericay’s result to secure safety in the FA Women’s National League Premier Division South. 

Argyle: 1 Lily Felgate, 2 Katie Dickson, 3 Roxy Thomas (22 Lois Edwards, 86), 5 Giota Papaioannou (capt), 6 Taya Pomfret, 7 Charlotte Whitmore, 8 Imy Crawford, 9 Ellie Sara, 10 Georgia Wilson, 16 Ella Stephens, 17 Lulu Jarvis (2 Katie Dickson, 76) 26 Caitlin Smith. Substitutes: 23 Freya Weeks (gk), 4 Amii Kearley, 15 Georgie Knott, 19 Erin O’Shea, 20 Fern Orchard.

Goals: Papaioannou 32, Wilson 63

Booked: Pomfret 30, Whitmore 88

AFC Wimbledon: 1 Rose Kite, 2 Rosie Russell (19 Kelly-Jade Whelan, 81), 5 Kelly Highman, 6 Hannah MacKenzie, 9 Ashlee Hincks (capt), 10 Ellie Dorey, 16 Emily Donovan, 20 Hannah Billingham, 23 Kaylee Buckingham, 27 Nadia Sabania (35 Georgia Clifford, half-time), 30 Dior Knorr (22 Alyssia Mundle, 81). Substitutes: 7 Emma Plewa, 21 Remmi Gardner. 

Goals: Hincks 55