WALLY Downes remains suspended by Wimbledon after an FA charge for alleged betting irregularities.

But while he is thought to be waiting for a personal hearing to fight those claims, you do wonder why he didn’t take a punt on Dylan Connolly.

The whippet of a winger was Downes’ first signing as Dons boss after being snapped up from Irish champions Dundalk at the start of the January transfer window.

Yet in 18 appearances for the south London club, Connolly made only four starts – and that opened the door for City to make a cheeky beat-the-deadline loan move this season.

Connolly only appeared on Gary Bowyer’s radar just ahead of the cut-off point in August.

But he rolled the dice to bring him in – and it’s a gamble that seems to be paying off handsomely.

Predictably, some wrote Connolly off before he’d even kicked a ball in claret and amber because he was “not even good enough for Wimbledon”.

But those keyboard critics have been left to eat their words by the rapid strides made by the jet-heeled wide man, whose seven outings have harvested 16 points.

It is that speed which has made such an impact in the short time he has been at Valley Parade.

Something so clearly lacking from City’s squad last season, that injection of pure pace provides such an effective attacking weapon.

Just ask his new team-mates.

“Dylan’s frightening when he gets going,” said Harry Pritchard, who has begun just as impressively with the club.

“We don’t have any running races here in training but that’s probably a good thing. He’s by far the quickest.

“I’ve been very impressed with his pace and not seen anyone close. He’s so quick and I’m sure he’ll get more goals and assists to contribute for everybody else.

“It’s good we’ve got different types of wingers in the team.

“Zeli (Ismail) is very tricky and can beat a man and I think I’m of a ‘get the ball, touch and cross’ type because unfortunately I’m not blessed with their pace.

“But Dylan is obviously absolutely rapid and gets in the crosses.

“We’ve got totally different styles and if the wingers want to switch over as well it gives another headache to the full backs. Hopefully we can continue to give them nightmares.”

That was evident at Morecambe where Bowyer’s half-time shake-up to stir more conviction from City after a lethargic opening 45 minutes also included a tactical tweak of the wide men.

A swap of wings to the right side got an instant reward inside two minutes with Connolly playing a major role in Hope Akpan’s opening goal.

Picking up the ball from Akpan on the counter attack, his acceleration proved too much for Alex Kenyon.

Racing into the box, the Morecambe man appeared to clip Connolly but he still got the ball away for Akpan who was following in to finish.

That directness of play that Connolly had promised when he arrived was there for all to see with a goal that City certainly would not have come up with last season because they did not possess the personnel.

Kelvin Mellor, one of the survivors from League One, appreciates the added zip that the winger has brought to the team.

As a right back, he gets a close-up view when Connolly is in full flight.

“It makes a massive difference having that pace,” he added.

“He’s rapid and there aren’t many defenders who will be able to stay with him.

“It takes a lot of pressure off our defence when you’ve got someone who can carry the ball like that.

“It’s so important for the team, because you can be defending one minute and then he takes it up the field and you can end up getting a corner at the other end – or even a goal.”

Mellor knows what it is like trying to deal with that kind of sheer speed, having been on the receiving end in practice sessions during the week.

He added: “I have to mark Dylan in training sometimes and I certainly don’t like it. He’s very good one v one and it’s not very enjoyable.

“But it’s great to have him in front of you in games with the way he carries the ball.

“The defenders often end up doubling up on him because he is a very dangerous player.

“He’s got the finishing as well as the crossing. You just have to get him in the game more.”