Johnnie Jackson believes Myles Hippolyte produced the best performance of his AFC Wimbledon career to help his side beat Walsall 1-0 in the League Two play-off final.
The Dons were ahead at the break after Hippolyte fired an exquisite half-volley into the bottom-right corner of Tommy Simkin’s goal.
Walsall came alive in the second half as they went on the hunt for an equaliser, and they almost got back on level terms when Jamille Matt’s effort was cleared off the line by Riley Harbottle.
However, the Dons held on to secure promotion to League One for only the second time since they were reincarnated in 2002.
“I think it was his best performance in a Wimbledon shirt, to be honest,” said Jackson.
“He is a man for the big occasion, he enjoys being in these moments because he is not afraid to express himself.
“I am pleased for him because he has had an up-and-down season as far as injuries are concerned.
“He was playing really well at the start of the season and got injured, missed a big chunk and then took his time to get back in the team.
“He has arrived back at the highest level that he has been at all season just in time.
“In the last few games he has been excellent and I think it culminated in the winning performance today.
“We want to try and strive again to improve next season. It is difficult because we are going up a level and we certainly won’t be one of the big guns in that league as far as our resources.
“What we do have here is a spirit like no other. I know everyone thinks that about their club, but this club was born out of that adversity.”
The Dons will now join fellow promoted sides Doncaster, Port Vale and Bradford in the third tier next season.
Walsall will be back in League Two next term but manager Mat Sadler insists he is still proud of his players.
“We got together like we always do, again, I think the biggest thing for me is pride in the group,” he added.
“I’m proud of who they are, proud of how they have moved their careers forward and everything that they have given every day.
“You have to use these things as motivation and fuel, I think when you are standing there and you are watching those celebrations it is like a slow torture if you are not the one who is celebrating.
“That fire and that emotion is very raw, let’s use it for a positive. We certainly have moved the football club forward, I think that is undoubted.
“Clearly we had a good lead [in the League Two table in January] and we lost some really good players.
“That happens at this level, the only thing for me is can we recruit a bit better at different times.”
