AFC WIMBLEDON 0 CITY 1

IT WAS the scene where the cracks first started to appear last season.

The memory of Rouven Sattelmaier letting Lyle Taylor’s speculative long-range shot through both hands in that game just before Christmas remains a haunting one.

And as for Wimbledon’s visit to Valley Parade the following month, the less said the better.

So last night’s much-needed win in south London exorcised a few ghosts – and the decisive moment even came from the penalty spot.

After the non-calls of the last three games, it was somehow fitting that David Hopkin’s first victory as City boss should come courtesy of a spot-kick.

Jack Payne confidently stroked home his fourth goal of the season on the ground where he had scored his first two as a pro for Southend.

The win was gritty rather than pretty but a reward for effort and toil – and enough to lift City thankfully out of the bottom four.

Hopkin made two changes from the side that had claimed his first point in charge at the fourth time of asking against Bristol Rovers.

One was enforced as Eoin Doyle pulled out with a back injury, meaning a first start since April for Kai Bruenker.

Nathaniel Knight-Percival also returned from illness – and was switched to left back as Connor Wood was pushed into a midfield role in front of him to replace Jordan Gibson.

But there was no James Hanson against his old club after failing a pre-match fitness test on his hamstring.

Hanson was a frustrated spectator – sat directly in front of City chairman Edin Rahic – for a contest that would have suited him down to the ground.

The early exchanges produced a series of long throws and high balls with little chance to get it down and play.

Sean Scannell weaved his way into a shooting position in the Wimbledon box but Rod McDonald slid across to block.

Knight-Percival’s extra height was tested from the start as the Bantams backline got plenty of aerial action from the hosts.

Midfielder Tom Soares had the first shot in anger but dragged it comfortably wide from distance.

Joe Pigott, Wimbledon’s top scorer, flicked wide from a Mitch Pinnock free-kick but it was pretty ordinary viewing.

Jim O’Brien was having a poor game by his standards and it got a lot worse on the half hour when he was forced off with a hamstring injury – another addition to that lengthy casualty list.

Payne’s early arrival meant a reshuffle with Anthony O’Connor moved into midfield as Wood dropped into left back.

As City looked to regroup, they nearly paid for an awful misjudgement by Richard O’Donnell.

The keeper appeared to get his studs caught in the turf as he allowed a long ball to bounce over his head towards the empty goal.

It seemed City were going to fall victim to another howler – but Pigott somehow hit the side-netting from five yards out.

O’Donnell was able to continue after treatment and City tried to make the most of that escape, Lewis O’Brien mustering their first shot with a fierce drive over the angle.

The visitors had been forced to open themselves up with the change around, giving Wimbledon a bit of room to exploit.

The hosts won the first corner on the stroke of half-time and O’Donnell made a good block to palm away a header from Soares, who had been left unmarked at the far post.

The weight of that save was felt minutes later as City grabbed an unexpected lead – after finally getting a penalty.

Miller was pulled over by Wimbledon skipper Deji Oshilaja and referee Keith Stroud, unlike his recent predecessors, pointed to the spot this time.

Payne stroked it one way, Joe McDonnell dived the other and City had the advantage at the break.

There was time for one late worry as Jake Jervis went down in a penalty-box tussle with Kelvin Mellor but Stroud saw nothing to concern him.

It was only the third time this season that the Bantams had gone into the break in front – and they had won both previous occasions against Shrewsbury and Burton.

Wimbledon came out firing as expected and City had to be on their mettle defensively.

Mellor thwarted Pinnock’s shot and Soares curled one on to the top of the net.

The back four continued to get through their fair share of headers, Knight-Percival particularly busy in the battle in the air.

O’Connor then produced a stunning piece of defending to maintain City’s slender lead.

Kingsmeadow was ready to celebrate as Jervis turned a header past O’Donnell but O’Connor was behind him to drag the ball back when it appeared goal-bound.

The Bantams were battling to hang on to their advantage as a flurry of Wimbledon crosses pinged across the box.

Neal Ardley threw on an extra striker in Kwesi Appiah and winger Andy Barcham to beef up the barrage.

Payne looked to turn defence to attack with a lovely run before David Ball teed up O’Brien to lash over from a tight angle.

City broke again as Mellor sent Ball away with a measured through ball. The substitute went for placement over power and his side-footed attempt was smothered by the diving McDonnell.

Barcham worked an opening for Wimbledon with ten minutes left but Anthony Wordsworth volleyed well over to groans all round.

City remained a threat on the counter through Ball who saw another shot blocked and then the follow-up deflected round the post off the head of McDonald.

And the substitute had another glorious opportunity as he broke clear with Miller in support.

But Ball opted to shoot having not spotted his unmarked team-mate lurking by the penalty area and again McDonnell managed to save.

Wimbledon threatened again as the game headed into stoppage time and Pigott found himself free from a free-kick – but nodded over from 10 yards.

WIMBLEDON: McDonnell 6, Watson 6 (Appiah 66min), Oshilaja 6, McDonald 6, Purrington 6, Wagstaff 6, Trotter 6 (Wordsworth 73min), Soares 6, Pinnock 7 (Barcham 73min), Pigott 6, Jervis 6. Subs (not used): Nightingale, Hartigan, Garratt, King.

CITY: O’Donnell 6, Mellor 7, McGowan 8, O’Connor 8, Knight-Percival 8, Scannell 7, L O’Brien 7, J O’Brien 5 (Payne 30min, 7), Wood 6, Miller 7 (Isherwood 89min), Bruenker 5 (Ball 69min). Subs (not used): Gibson, Goldthorp, Staunton, Sykes-Kenworthy.