Chairman's delight at manager Russell Martin

Russell Martin was given the 'hardest job in football' when he took over from sacked Paul Tisdale in November, but has impressed chairman Pete Winkelman ever since.

Martin retired from playing to take up the post after Tisdale's side went 10 games without a win and dropped into the League One relegation zone.

The manager, who last week confirmed he is locked into a long-term contract at the club, helped drag Dons out of the bottom three in January and has built up a cushion to the drop zone since, continuing to impress his chairman.

"I'm really happy with Russ," said Winkelman. "He is one of the success stories of the year. We went right back to basics and gave someone the job who was passionate about being a manager.

"I gave him the hardest job. I cannot tell you how hard it is to come into a team that is losing and find a way of turning it around. For it to be your first job as well, he has definitely delivered the way I thought he would.

"I know we didn't win those first few games but it really tested everyone's mettle, but we looked so much better with him."