Dons' destiny in their own hands after recent results

Defeats handed out to AFC Wimbledon and Southend United last night helped MK Dons keep control of their own destiny, said manager Russell Martin.

While Karl Robinson's Oxford United thumped AFC Wimbledon 5-0 at the Kassam Stadium, just hours after MK Dons' U23s beat AFC's U23s 3-2 at Kingsmeadow, Southend were also on the wrong end of the score, going down 1-0 at home to Gillingham.

"Results went for us last night which is good, but we've put it in our own hands with what we've done in the last few months," said Martin. "We're in charge of our own destiny. We had people at the games last night and we've had reports back because we have to play these teams soon. It helps us, of course, but we focus on us, take care of our own business."

Dons were without a game on Saturday as their second 'Bury weekend' came around, and it left Martin and his players with the chance to train but also to have some time off as well ahead of the visit of bottom club Bolton to Stadium MK on Saturday.

Martin continued: "It has been the best feel since we took over. Their spirit, the way they're enjoying themselves, but the tempo has really stepped up recently. We've put some serious work in, and had a couple of days off as well. Hopefully, that transfers into Saturday."

Saturday offers Dons a great chance to extend their undefeated run to five games, which will be their longest unbeaten run since this time last year, when Paul Tisdale's side pieced together five consecutive wins en route to promotion.

Although fighting a wholly different battle this season, Martin said February has given his side a platform to not only escape the relegation clutches, but to begin to lay the framework for how the rest of the season may pan out.

"I told the players this month could define the season, or to make it easier for everyone come next month," he said. "We've got tough games coming up, but we've been really good and we're four unbeaten. The next aim has to be the team directly above us.

"We have to be aware of the threat, we're not safe and I won't be comfortable until it's mathematically done, but we're in a better position. We're much closer to teams, we're in contact with teams we were miles away from.

"We've still got so much to improve too, so I'm hoping we can continue and we'll drag more teams into it."