Doncaster season opener was a sign of things to come for MK Dons

Opening the season up with a 1-1 draw against Doncaster Rovers looks a very good point on reflection a little over six months later, but the story of the game itself would turn out to be a familiar tale for MK Dons.

With 65 per cent possession, more shots on goal and more shots on target, Dons found themselves trailing to a Madger Gomes effort early in the second half - one of only two shots Doncaster had on target. It would need a really well-worked 88th minute equaliser from the unlikely source of Baily Cargill to earn Russell Martin's side a point, but two more chances after the equaliser went begging which could have won it for them.

It has turned out to be something of a stencil for Dons this season, with many games early in the season following a similar pattern of dominating possession but coming away with little or nothing for their efforts.

But given the way the season has worked out for Doncaster, who sit in the play-off spots at it stands, a point at the Keepmoat Stadium would actually be a decent result for most clubs in League One, but it is one which remains a bugbear for Russell Martin.

"It was the story of our season, and we carried it on from there," he said. "It was a frustrating way to start the season for us, but if you look at what Doncaster have gone on to do since, a lot of people will say it's a really good point. But it set the tone for us in terms of frustration.

"We should never have been 1-0 down, I think they only had one shot and all of a sudden we were fighting to get back into the game.

"We did that and then I think Carlton missed a really good header from about eight yards out and we could have won the game and probably should have. We really dominated, we were really good on the day, but that's how it went for us for six or seven games after that frustratingly for us. Performances got better and better, we just couldn't get results.

"Fortunately we've been able to match up with them later in the season."