By Alfie Marlborough
The Match Report article is sponsored by BOBcat Digital
Despite total domination from the Dons, a late goal from the visitors meant the Dons missed out on an opportunity to widen the gap between themselves and the Relegation zone.
Taylor Moore had the first opportunity of the game within the first 30 seconds when he shot from far out looking to catch Jamie Cumming out but the effort landed on the roof of the net leaving Jamie Cumming unthreatened. The Dons responded well and created a few chances of their own – the best coming from a Jonathan Leko cross which was met by the head of Mo Eisa who headed just wide from 10 yards out.
The Dons continued to pile forward within the first-half and Mo Eisa was next to go close for the hosts. The forward received the ball from Devoy and drove towards his man before cutting in on his favoured right foot and firing towards goal. Salop’s goalkeeper Marko Marosi was able to get down to his left and make a comfortable save to stop the Dons going ahead.
Half an hour in and Shrewsbury had a chance to take the lead against the run of play through Rob Street. The striker received the ball in the area but was unable to stay composed and sent the ball over into the cowshed.
Following that chance, Jonathan Leko was able to break away down the right hand side – the winger controlled the ball well to escape his marker and was causing havoc for the Salop defenders. The visitors were eventually able to diffuse the situation to ensure the game remained level heading into the break.
HALF-TIME: MKD 0-0 SHR
The Dons had a chance straight after the interval but Mo Eisa was unable to get a clean strike of the ball and his effort went wide. Dawson Devoy then broke forward after winning the ball in the middle of the park but his shot towards goal was blocked by the hand of Luke Leahy. The resulting Free-Kick from Josh McEachran caused Marosi some concern but the effort ended up just over the bar.
Matt Smith was introduced to the game and had an opportunity from a free-kick halfway through the second-half. The ball was crossed in and fell to Tucker but his header did not trouble Marosi and Matt Dennis did not react quickly enough to get on the end of the follow up.
Darragh Burns used his pace to get the Dons forwards just five minutes from time but was fouled in the process. Bradley Johnson was the one to take it but his strike was straight into the wall. A poor effort from Johnson, to say the least.
Just one minute from time Tom Bayliss and Shrewsbury were gifted a goal to ensure all three points were heading to Shropshire. Jack Tucker was the man at fault for the heavy touch which allowed a Shrewsbury attacker to pounce on Tucker’s heavy touch and drive forward before laying it off to Bayliss who had the goal in his sights and slotted the ball past Cumming to win the game for the visitors.
FULL-TIME:MKD 0-1 SHR
A heartbreaking end to a strong performance from the Dons who deserved much more from the game but were architects of their own downfall in the end. Next up, Exeter City travel to Stadium MK in a must win game for the Dons to avoid being sucked into the relegation zone yet again.
