Dons' clean sheet was a long time in the works

MK Dons 1-0 Doncaster Rovers
Harry Darling, Warren O'Hora and Zak Jules limited Doncaster to just one shot on target at Stadium MKHarry Darling, Warren O'Hora and Zak Jules limited Doncaster to just one shot on target at Stadium MK
Harry Darling, Warren O'Hora and Zak Jules limited Doncaster to just one shot on target at Stadium MK

MK Dons' latest clean sheet was overdue, and for former defender Russell Martin the wait has been entirely too long.

Ten games separated Dons' 1-0 wins over Hull City and Doncaster Rovers, but there have been chances during that stint to lock teams out: Dons conceded in the 97th minute against Oxford; let in Blackpool's only shot on target; conceded a penalty towards the end against Burton.

"It has been frustrating," said Martin speaking after the clean sheet against Doncaster. "Oxford didn't come close but scored in the last 30 seconds, Plymouth scored a goal from 25-yards but didn't really threaten, Blackpool had one shot on target and scored – the lads had done enough in other games to get a clean sheet and didn't get one.

"I'm really pleased for them today. They deserved that."

Daniel Harvie, who scored the only goal of the game with 14 minutes to go, was part of the defence with an average age of just under 22-years-old against Doncaster.

He said: "We've defended well and kept the clean sheet today, and it was a crucial one. Some of the goals we've concede we've been pretty annoyed about. The last 10 minutes of the Burton game was really good and we took that into today.

"We press from the front, so it's not just about the defenders in a clean sheet. We all have to work so hard. It's good for everyone.

"We're all young but we've got mature heads about us. Some of the stuff you see is head and shoulders above our age."