Watford recorded their third successive victory, but their players still earned a half-time dressing down from Manager Ray Lewington.
The Hornets were gifted two first-half goals but Lewington said: "I thought we were poor. There was more grit about Wimbledon and they tried to pass the ball around much better than we did.
"We improved in the second half, but then became sloppy and could have conceded three late goals." While the Watford manager feels considerable sympathy for his opposite number and his "kids", Stuart Murdoch appeared to have run out of sympathy for his charges: "I get very disappointed when players do not learn from mistakes.
"If what looks like happening to us happens, then some of these players will be with a relegated club and we'll have to look to see what they are going to do with their careers.
"The first thing is to learn from mistakes." Murdoch was fuming after just four minutes when the experienced Rob Gier hammered an attempted clearance against the oncoming Scott Fitzgerald, and saw Watford break clear for Paul Devlin to set up Lee Cook for the first goal.
Wimbledon played some useful football and Ben Chorley forced Lenny Pidgeley to a save, but after 38 minutes, Wimbledon gifted another goal.
Jerel Ifil hit the ball through from defence for Cook to break clear of Jermaine Darlington.
The defender made three attempts to tug the winner back and after trying to keep his feet, Cook finally toppled over and skipper Neil Cox fired in the spot-kick.
There was worse to come for Wimbledon when experienced keeper Steve Banks failed to claim the ball was it was played through by Neal Ardley after 63 minutes. Cook leapt to take the ball beyond the keeper and set up Jack Smith to tap into the unguarded net.
After 76 minutes, Watford completed what is the biggest victory of their season when Ardley came in unchecked at the far post to turn in Devlin's cross.