Dons battle to a point against leaders Rotherham

A fine Rhys Healey strike cancelled out Freddie Ladapo's early strike as MK Dons secured a point on the road at league leaders Rotherham on Saturday, drawing 1-1 at the New York Stadium.

The Dons defence will be disappointed to have conceded after just 10 minutes when Ladapo cut inside Joe Walsh to fire home from the edge of the box. But Healey's 12th goal of the season came on 21 minutes, as he twisted and turned his way past Michael Ihiekwe to fire past Daniel Iversen.

Ladapo should have restored Rotherham's lead early in the second half but somehow fired wide from six yards, while Alex Gilbey went through on goal in stoppage time, only to fire straight at Iversen.

The point sees Dons move 11 points clear of the relegation zone, with Tranmere Rovers' game against Fleetwood postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Russell Martin made three changes to the side for the trip to Yorkshire, with suspended Carlton Morris missing out, and skipper Dean Lewington absent for the birth of his daughter in the early hours, while Conor McGrandles dropped to the bench as Callum Brittain, Joe Walsh and Sam Nombe came in.

Dons squandered a 2-0 advantage in the reverse fixture at Stadium MK back in November, but they found themselves trailing after 10 minutes when Freddie Ladapo – the man who netted two of those comeback goals for the Millers – ambled forwards, cut inside Joe Walsh with ease before firing low past Lee Nicholls.

The keeper did well to deny Jamie Lindsay five minutes later when he found space on the Rotherham left, but Nicholls was a match for it.

The visitors were looking to play more direct than they have been accustomed to in recent weeks, but it was a long ball over the top from Walsh to unleash Rhys Healey, who raced into the penalty area, cut inside Michael Ihiekwe, then outside him again before blasting past Daniel Iversen to equalise.

It was perhaps a little unfair on the home side to be level pegging, and they only went in level thanks to a brilliant Nicholls save to deny Michael Smith's header.

The home side started well in the second half, and they should have been ahead 12 minutes in when Ladapo was left unmarked six yards out but incredibly fired wide with the goal opening in front of him.

Much like the first half, Rotherham had more of the ball in dangerous areas than Dons, but caused few concerns for Nicholls as the defence held firm, though they were helped by some poor crossing from the home side.

Dons weren't without chances to nick it though. Ben Gladwin's deflected effort causing Iversen some troubles as he tipped it over the bar, but Alex Gilbey squandered the best chance of the day in stoppage time. Put through by David Kasumu, the midfielder went one-on-one with Iversen but fired straight at the keeper.

Referee: Leigh Doughty

Attendance: 8,883 (353)

Rotherham: Iverson, Matlock, Wood, Wiles, Ladapo, Lindsay (Koroma 74), Crooks, Ogbene, Ihiekwe, Olosunde (MacDonald 90), Smith (Vassell 74)

Subs not used: Price, A Thompson, Adelakun, Tilt

MK Dons: Nicholls, Williams, Moore-Taylor, Walsh, Poole, Houghton, Gilbey, L Thompson (Kasumu 67), Brittain (Gladwin 67), Nombe (Mason 81), Healey

Subs not used: Fisher, Cargill, Reeves, McGrandles

Booked: Moore-Taylor, Williams, Wood