Collins at the double to deny Dons
James Collins scored twice as Shrewsbury fought back to secure a 2-2 draw at AFC Wimbledon in Micky Mellon's first match in charge of the Shropshire club.
The Dons were six minutes away from an opening day victory when Collins, having recently returned to Shrewsbury from Hibernian, tapped in an inviting cross from left-back Nathaniel Knight-Percival.
Shrewsbury broke the deadlock in the ninth minute when a free-kick from captain Liam Lawrence picked out Collins, who headed past James Shea.
Jordan Clark then hammered narrowly wide from distance as the visitors started brightly.
But Wimbledon gradually settled and, after Sean Rigg was denied by a goalline clearance, the Dons equalised in the 26th minute when debutant Matt Tubbs expertly headed in a cross from Jack Smith.
Neal Ardley's men looked set for maximum points when Rigg stabbed home in the 73rd minute after keeper Jayson Leutwiler failed to gather in George Francomb's right-wing cross.
But Shrewsbury kept going and Collins's second goal of the game ensured the points were shared.
Source: PA
