AFC Wimbledon manager Wally Downes hailed match-winner Joe Pigott as ‘magnificent’ after seeing his side continue their recent revival with a 1-0 win at fellow strugglers Southend United.

Pigott bagged the only goal of the game on his return to Roots Hall as the Dons moved off the foot of the League One table with a third successive win.

And Downes, who has now taken Wimbledon up to 22nd in the standings, was quick to praise Pigott’s impact on the game.

“Joe has been magnificent in the last six or seven weeks and he got his rewards for battling,” said Downes.

“He’s led the line really well lately and got another win.

“But we’ve got four clean sheets in a row and that speaks for itself too.

“I’m very pleased and at this stage it’s about winning games, not how you play.

“It was about who made the best use of the wind and we were better in the second half.”

Pigott played a pivotal part in the Shrimpers winning promotion from League Two back in 2015, scoring an injury time equaliser in the play-off final against Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley.

But the striker returned to haunt the Shrimpers as he fired home his 13th goal of the season to decide an uneventful encounter played in blustery conditions.

And Downes feels Pigott is now improving his all round game.

“When I first came in I knew Joe was a goalscorer, but it was just about getting him to be a bit stronger up front,” said Downes.

“He’s definitely doing that now and he’s got rewarded for his hard work with the goal.”