Dons are proving they can mix it with the top teams

After going toe-to-toe with Portsmouth on Tuesday night, Alex Gilbey says Dons are showing how far they have come despite the 3-1 defeat.

Kenny Jackett's side have not lost at Fratton Park all season, but were met with a stern challenge from Dons. Although defensive errors played a part in all of Portsmouth's goals, striker John Marquis left the ground telling Russell Martin they were the 'best side to have played there all season'.

"It shows how far we've come that we're coming here and we're disappointed we've lost," said Gilbey, who cancelled Andy Cannon's opener in first half stoppage time, following up to rebound his penalty saved by Alex Bass. "We weren't quite good enough tonight, we conceded some really poor goals but we have to look on to Saturday.

"We've shown we're more than good enough to compete with teams like this.

"These are the games you look forward to as a player. We have to stay positive, we're still in a good place, it's a long-term project and we have to stick with it."

Gilbey, like manager Martin, pointed to Portsmouth's clinical finishing for the cause of the defeat, adding: "They took their chances well. I should have scored a couple too. It's a shame to leave with nothing but it's one of those things.