Caretaker boss Barker set to keep Dons job for another game

Prior to kick off, media speculation once again linked Steven Gerrard to the post, claiming he'd been offered the role as Karl Robinson's replacement, though a decision on his future isn't expected until Monday.

Speaking after Dons' 0-0 draw with Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium, Barker said he will begin work on preparing the side for Tuesday night's League 1 clash with Chesterfield regardless of speculation.

"At the moment I think so, I haven't been told any different," he said. "Tonight, I'll read the Chesterfield scouts report. I'll be into work on Monday and go from there.

"I've said all along that it is about the right person, not the time frame. Most people are aware we're getting closer, but it's finding the right person. I'll just continue doing what I'm doing."

Solid defensive performances from both sides ensured a share of the spoils at the Memorial Stadium. Both David Martin and Kelle Roos made excellent saves, while George Baldock and Jermaine Easter will wonder what more they needed to do to score.

And Barker praised the spirit of his side, who he says executed his game plan perfectly.

"They put a real shift in, I thought they were excellent. And another clean sheet.

"I thought all of the back four defended excellently, but especially the centre halves. It was a close call between Paul Downing and Jack Hendry. But everyone can take credit today - what we put into practice today was what we'd worked on all week.

"The substitutes changed the game, the tempo, lifted the crowd too. But we continued doing what we're doing, we adapted well and we more than deserved what we got.

"We've worked really hard recently to produce more of an end product, but I think there was a 15 minute spell in the second half where we let them off the hook a little bit and allowed them to counter. Ideally, we liked to have created a bit more."