Praise for Lewington as he reaches 800 appearances

Ste Walker was just three-years-old when Dean Lewington made his professional debut, but last night, they were on the pitch together as the latter made his 800th appearance.

The statistic admittedly means little to the Dons skipper, who said: "No feelings, as above. It’s a nice milestone, but we’ve more pressing issues that I’m concerned about it," to the media on Monday ahead of the game against Wigan.

Walker though, making his first start for Dons, joked he could not quite grasp how long Lewington had been playing as he reached the landmark as he praised the 36-year-old.

"That's crazy – 800 appearances!" he said. "He made his debut in 2003, I was born in 2000! I was three when he made his debut, I can't get my head around it! You can't play that many games as a footballer without doing something right. He's a joke.

"He's so demanding, when we lose and when we win, he wants the best out of everyone. That's why he's played so many games at this level. He's so consistent. He gives everything he's got for this club. He's a top professional and great to learn from."

While on previous landmark days for Lewington, results have not gone Dons' way, the 2-0 win over Wigan was just what the doctor orders as they climbed out of the League One relegation zone.

Manager Russell Martin said he was delighted with his side's performane, and singled out Lewington, adding: "There were some outstanding individual performances, to a man they were fantastic. Dean on his 800th game, not that he cares one bit, got a win on that milestone which is incredible."