Brace helps Bird repay Martin's faith

Jay Bird hopes his double against Stevenage has helped repay the faith shown in him by manager Russell Martin.

The 19-year-old needed just 37 minutes of his debut to find the net from close range before firing in a brilliant winner six minutes from time to secure Dons a 3-2 win at the Lamex Stadium in the EFL Trophy.

After spending the best part of a year sidelined through injury last season, assistant manager Luke Williams said Bird was set a number of challenges by management to get ready for the new season, and the striker hopes he has met them.

"Hopefully I've paid them back," he said. "It couldn't have come at a better time for me. And two goals to top it off. I've finally been able to play 90 minutes, Russ offered me the chance and I took it with both hands.

"I'm coming up to my 10th or 11th year at the club now, and to have that injury last season was a huge set back. I feel like I got my head down, worked hard and it's paying off now. I'm got to keep pushing on."

On his goals, Bird added: "A goal is a goal and helped towards the team winning so I can't complain. I knew it was late on, I knew we needed a goal and I thought 'why not?' and it's paid off with a decent strike!

"It means a lot to score the winner. We played well, but they got one back before half time and the only thing on my mind was to help the team to win.