By Martin Atherton
MK Dons saw out a comfortable 1-0 win over promotion hopefuls Doncaster Rovers, though they may be somewhat disappointed to have not had more.
Dan Harvie’s excellent effort was enough to put aside a Donny side who failed to create too much and threaten their hosts.
Russ had made three changes – Jules, Grigg and Harvie in for Lewington, Jerome and Laird – but the Dons kept up their winning streak to make it four on the bounce.
The first half provided little in the way of chances, but Dons were able to hold out their early goal curse.
It looked like Bogle had got himself through on goal to open the scoring early on – Darling, however, on hand to not just comfortably clear up, but take the ball forward and launch an attack.
The best chance of the first half came when Dan Harvie, cutting in from the right, fired an effort on goal that managed to rebound and nearly hit both posts.
Grigg also came close – doing so well to get a shot away from a loose ball – but the Donny ‘keeper was equal to his effort.
More Dons pressure then fashioned another chance – this time Donny failing to pass the ball out from the back and giving it directly to O’Riley – but Thompson was found in an offside position. HT 0-0.
Almost immediately after the break Grigg came close again, sending a header straight at Jones who was equal to the effort.
But that decisive moment came when Harvie – making another of his cut-ins, though this time on his weaker foot – fired past the helpless Donny ‘keeper and into the top corner. 1-0!!
From there, there didn’t seem to be too much of a question as to whether the Dons would win it, as Martin’s side became completely dominant and held their opponents at bay.
Bogle came close in the dying moments, but Darling was on the line to meet a poor effort.
Five minutes were added on at the end – but it meant little to Dons, who comfortably saw the game out for a FOURTH successive win. FT 1-0.
The result leaves MK just three points outside the Play-Offs, though they face a harsh run in over the next eight games.
Either way, both today’s result and performance show the quality this team possesses, and it’s difficult to not be excited about next season at this point.
Come on You Dons!
MOTM: Daniel Harvie
