MK Dons 2-1 Bristol Rovers
Dons move third after easy win
October might not last long in the memory in terms of entertainment, but another victory on Saturday certainly made it a profitable one for Paul Ince's men.
The month ended with another narrow win over Bristol Rovers thanks to late goals from Peter Leven and Jason Puncheon.
It was a win that made it four in five in League One games in October and one that catapulted them into third place on the same points as early pace-setters Charlton who are in second.
But it was a match in which Dons struggled to deliver the sort of fluid football that they have become so widely renowned for during the last couple of seasons. They had to work hard for the three points against a Rovers side who set up to frustrate, but ended up having the better of the chances.
They twice struck the bar as Dons failed to find their feet. Possession wasn't the problem, it was using it more effectively and with more pace and aggression that was.
Fortunately they were given a helping hand. Or perhaps more accurately, two, as Stuart Elliott shoved Mathias Doumbe to the deck in the box.
Leven stepped up to the plate and there was no doubt about the outcome.
The shackles were finally released after that and Dons played with much more freedom, with Puncheon rounding off a sweeping move with a superb 25-yard drive.
There was still time for a brief comeback as Chris Lines headed home from a corner. It caused a furious reaction from Ince who threw his water bottle at an advertising board with all the aggression of an angry javelin thrower.
The Dons boss was no doubt frustrated his side missed out on another clean sheet. On a more pleasing note though his side's record in October is the mirror image of the same month in 2007 – a firm sign the team is heading in the right direction.
The next aim is to get back a bit of swagger into their play.
The first half was a true stalemate as Dons struggled to find their way against a Rovers team set up in a defensive 4-5-1 system.
Despite their caution, the Pirates did create the first and only real opening of the first half when Elliott looped a header onto the crossbar from a Stuart Campbell corner.
Rovers seemed encouraged from the even first half and started the second with a little more confidence.
They cut the hosts apart early on with former Dons winger Mark Wright finding Williams at the back post, but he couldn't beat Willy Gueret with his shot.
Then a minute later the lively Wright turned Aaron Wilbraham inside out before delivering a superb cross for Jo Kuffour that the striker did well to loop goalwards with his head and over Gueret, but onto the crossbar.
In return Dons had chances, Jermaine Easter racing onto Wilbraham's flick-on and beating 'keeper Mikkel Andersen to it, but the ball rolled just wide.
Then with 20 minutes to go Dons were gifted an opening when, from Puncheon's cross, Elliott pushed Doumbe and referee Danny McDermid pointed to the spot, with Leven easily sending Anderson the wrong way for the lead.
It gave Dons more confidence and Puncheon played a clever one-two with Wilbraham and fired a shot that Anderson just squirmed wide.
Then Leven just fired wide after magical work from Puncheon set him up. Dons did eventually get a second moments from time though.
A sweeping move saw Doumbe thunder down the right and play the ball inside for Leven. He played a great one-two with Stephen Gleeson and then cut back for Puncheon who smashed home into the top corner. And with his right foot!
Rovers made things nervy late on though as three minutes into stoppage time substitute Lines headed home from Campbell's corner. But Dons managed to see the game out and claimed a vital three points.
MK Dons: Gueret, Doumbe, McCracken, Swailes, Lewington, Devaney (Doran 90), Leven, Gleeson, Puncheon, Easter (Baldock 66), Wilbraham
Subs: Baldock, Carrington, Gobern, Searle, Davis, Howell, Doran
Goals: Leven 71, Puncheon 89
Bristol Rovers: Anderson, Regan, Wright, Elliott, Campbell, Williams (Dickson 73), Hughes (Duffy 79), Anthony, Blizzard (Lines 74), Kuffor, Lescott
Subs: Evans, Lines, Reece, Swallow, Clough, Duffy, Dickson
Goals: Lines 90 +3
Attendance: 9,711
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Weather for Milton Keynes
Thursday 24 May 2012
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