Will Nightingale hopes the point AFC Wimbledon gained in their draw with Accrington Stanley will help them survive the drop this season.

A win for the Dons, who led through Joe Pigott's 14th goal this season, would've seen them climb out of the relegation zone for the first time in nearly six months.

But a Paul Kalambayi mistake saw Jordan Clark net the equaliser before Billy Kee's penalty spared them a nightmarish seven minutes.

While Nightingale admitted he was frustrated with the result, believing his side were in “total control of the game” up to that point, the defender hopes it will be a positive rather than a negative.

Asked about the mood was like after the game, he said: “It's mixed emotions, really. Like the gaffer [Downes] said you've got to respect the point.

“Hopefully it'll be the point that keeps us up and keeps us safe, so if that's the case then obviously we'll be delighted.

“It's not the worst [thing in the world, a point]. The main thing is we didn't lose. It would've been nice to get the three points and I don't think many teams down at the bottom won so I think it would've climbed us right out of it.

“I mean, considering we were 10 points adrift I think we've done unbelievably to get to this point. But there's no point resting on our laurels now because why make all that hard work pointless and for nothing? We've got to make sure we follow it through and keep that momentum going.”

After Pigott capped off the Dons' bright start on 21 minutes with a clinical finish, Paul Kalambayi's mistake enabled Clark to level the scores some 13 minutes later.

Accrington could’ve taken the lead for the first time in the game soon after but Stanley striker Billy Kee dragged his penalty wide of the target.

With five games remaining, Nightingale is keen to do everything possible in ensuring Wimbledon are not playing League Two football next season.

The defender added: “I go out to win every single game when I cross that white line. The fact that it's still possible for us to get out of it, and comfortably as well ... there's what, five games to go, 15 points to play for, I want to win 15 points.

“I don't go out to settle for draws, really.

“We've got to finish strong. I'd rather be finishing strong towards the end of the season, like we are, rather than tailing off like some of the other teams who are struggling for results. I mean we're starting to string a few together now and hopefully that continues.”

AFC Wimbledon, who are level on goal difference with Southend United in 21st place, visit Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium next Saturday.