Burton win 'was for Lewie' on his 800th Dons appearance

Winning at Burton was as much for MK Dons as it was for Dean Lewington, as he celebrated his 800th appearance for the club.

The 36-year-old looked sheepish as his team-mates warmed up in special shirts the mark the occasion, but his performance on the field was vital as Dons survived a late siege from Burton as they clung on to their 2-1 advantage to claim a third win in a week.

Lewington, who is notoriously nonplussed by his landmarks, won a vital header deep in stoppage time to break down another Burton attack, and his manager Russell Martin said the win at the Pirelli Stadium was as much for the team as it was for the skipper.

"I'm really pleased we won for him," he said. "The players are really pleased too – 800 games, we couldn't let him down! He has been a huge part of wharwe're doing and will be going forwards.

"He had a huge action towards the end, heading away in the box because he knows where the ball is going to go, a calming influence on the pitch.

"I cannot explain how good he is, or how much of an achievement 800 games is for someone in this day and age. And for one club! I'm convinced it will never happen again. We cannot underestimate how brilliant that is, or understate how important he is to the club and continues to be. If he continues to play like that, I'm sure there'll be plenty more."