Worthing 1 AFC Wimbledon 1

Steve Claridge lasted the full 90 minutes on his Worthing debut last night.

But it was long-serving defender Mark Knee who emerged the hero on his record 400th appearance for struggling Rebels with a last-minute equaliser to boost Worthing's survival fight.

It seemed as though Worthing, even with Claridge, 40, would succumb to a first half effort by Steve Goddard.

But Knee was on hand when it mattered and manager Danny Bloor was delighted.

He said: "I'm so pleased for Mark. He has been a loyal servant and to come up with a goal like that was vital for us.

"We are in a dogfight and we need every point we can get.

"I was pleased with Steve's efforts. I brought him in because we have a young side and they certainly benefited.

"He played because he loves football. I had a great football chat with him beforehand and he talked to the rest of the lads like he had been here for ages.

"He is here on a match to match basis and we will have to see. I will talk to him. There is no hurry because we haven't got another league game until Saturday week when we play Walton and Hersham."

Claridge earned a cheer as the team was read out over the tannoy. The experienced No. 9, with his right sock rolled down in characteristic style, spent most of the first half making adjustments.

Apart from a brief dressing room chat he was unfamiliar with his new team-mates and he had never played at such a low level in football's pyramid before.

He conceded a corner and possession early on and offered his apologies.

But he had nothing to be sorry for when he came close to putting Rebels in front after 13 minutes.

The much travelled veteran, who includes Albion among his former clubs, headed a cross from Danny Davis against the bar.

But it was AFC Wimbledon who looked the more composed before the interval, retaining possession well and stretching the home rearguard, with former Worthing winger Lewis Cook leading the charge.

The visitors took the lead five minutes before the interval when defender Andy Lutwyche was caught out of position by a cute ball over the top by Wes Daly which Steve Goddard belted into the top corner beyond Rikki Banks' despairing left hand.

Rebels were fortunate to escape when Lee Kersey was allowed a free header which he put straight at Banks following a Cook cross and Banks did well to tip a cross shot by Roscoe D'Sane wide of the post at full stretch.

Wimbledon continued to create chances early in the second half and Rebels defender Dominic Douglas almost diverted a Cook drive into his own net before the ball was scrambled away.

Luke Garrard then forced Banks into another stop with a rising drive.

But Rebels battled back into contention with Jamie Lawrence turning in an outstanding display.

Claridge almost got the equaliser when he stretched for a hooked cross from strike partner Ben Andrews but he could not make contact as the ball flew across the goal.

Knee looked like he would celebrate his milestone with a booking and little else. But Rebels' Mr Loyalty popped up with the point saver.

Douglas' long throw had Wimbledon in a tizzy. Claridge and Lawrence, who together won the 1997 Coca-Cola Cup with Leicester, combined again to put the ball back into the middle and, following a scramble, Knee forced the ball home.

Worthing: Banks; J. Keehan, Knee, Lawrence, Andrews, Lutwyche, Davis, Day (sub Lawley 75), Claridge, Douglas, Cobbs. Subs not used: Rees, Brotherton, K. Keehan, Axten.

AFC Wimbledon: Little; Sweeney, Darlington, Rooney (sub Gell 54), Howard, Kersey, Garrard, Daly, Goddard (sub Ferguson 63), D'Sane, Cook. Subs not used: Barnes, Finnie, Smith.

Referee: Mr I Cooper.

Attendance: 1,104.

Man-of-the-match: Mark Knee.