Gavin Gunning hailed the "game changer" Dawson Devoy and tipped him to be capable of big things after Swindon Town's 3-2 against AFC Wimbledon.

Joe Lewis headed Wimbledon into the lead in the second minute, but it was the choice to bring Devoy on at the break which changed things.

The on-loan Milton Keynes Dons midfielder played a big role in Aaron Drinan's equaliser and then scored twice himself before Lewis scored again himself to make for an exciting finish.

Gunning was full of praise for Devoy's overall game after coming on and the improvements he has made since joining Swindon.

He said: "We brought Dawson on at halftime and he changed the game.

"I told him that if you score goals then you are going to earn a lot more money than you do right now. That is simple.

"If you are a ten or a midfielder and if you can get beyond the striker and score goals then you will have massive value.

"If you play from deep and switch it side to side then you look like a good player but you are going to stay at this level.

"If you can get beyond and add numbers, because that is what teams are looking for, and add that to your game then he will be one of the elite players at this level.

"He gets around and he knows how to manipulate space and gets into the spaces between midfielder and centre halves.

"I think he was poor for the first six minutes and then I called him over and told him what he needed to improve on.

"Then he was getting beyond, creates chances, and the composure for the second goal is brilliant."

Town also coped well in difficult conditions as once again the County Ground pitch proved problematic and Gunning was happy with how his players managed that.

He said: "We were under pressure and the goal comes Dokes [Udoka Godwin-Malife] having a bit of bottle about him and goes in.

"We have turned it over a few times, but if you want to get to where you want to get to then that is what you have got to do.

"Hopefully the pitch will improve as we go."

Godwin-Malife became the first Town player this season to receive a red card after he was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time and Gunning was disappointed with the decision.

He said: "It was just mad, crazy, I don't even know how you can get a second yellow card but no warning.

"It was literally crazy, he came over and gave him a yellow, I am not one for battering people and everyone makes mistakes, but he has obviously not read his book.

"He didn't realise that Dokes was on a yellow, otherwise there is no chance that he would have come across.

"He has taken the yellow out and then realised he has made a mistake, but it is what it is."