Chances go begging as MK Dons share the points at Port Vale

Robbie Neilson’s side dominated the clash at Vale Park for long periods, but failed to take any of the numerous chances they created, and had to settle for a share of the spoils.

On what was a frustrating afternoon, Kieran Agard, Harvey Barnes, Robbie Muirhead and George Williams all went close to grabbing what would have been the crucial winner.

The draw leaves Dons in 15th place in the table, and still six points above Vale who are fourth bottom and occupy the final relegation place, although the Burslem side do still have a game in hand.

Dons are five points above fifth-from-bottom Shrewsbury, having played the same number of games.

Neilson named an unchanged side from the one which beat Coventry City 1-0 at Stadium MK the previous weekend, although striker Nicky Maynard returned to the bench after recovering from injury.

Early in the first half, Barnes hit the post with a low shot, and while JJ Hooper went close for the home side.

Agard forced Vale keeper Deniz Mehmet into a smart save from a tight angle prior and Barnes fired over, before Agard saw a shot deflected over the bar.

In the second half, Agard had a great early chance but he shot straight at Mehmet from 12 yards and Chris Eagles responded for Vale, but his effort whistled past the post.

Muirhead had a close-range effort brilliantly blocked on the hour, and then sent another shot narrowly wide, but the Dons had goalkeeper David Martin to thank ust minutes later as he superbly denied Rigino Cicilia.

The final chances for the Dons fell to Stuart O’Keefe, but he sent the ball over the top after being set up by a Dean Lewington header across the box, and Williams, but he snatched at his effort from 10 yards out and it ended goalless.

MK Dons: Martin; Baldock, Williams, Walsh, Lewington (c); Reeves, Upson (Potter 71), O’Keefe, Barnes; Muirhead (Maynard 82), Agard (Ngombo 54). Unused subs: Nicholls, Brittain, Downing, Tilney.

Attendance: 3,877 (229 Dons fans).