Dons' season has been a disappointing one - Lewie

Sitting 18th in the table with nine games to go is not where Dean Lewington thought MK Dons could be back in August.

Bouncing straight back to League One after securing automatic promotion from League Two, Dons were expected to be comfortably clear of the drop zone before mounting a stronger campaign next time out. The season has had a much different complexion though.

Losing their front line for three months, and then manager Paul Tisdale as Dons dropped into the relegation zone, it has been a strange few months for Lewington and the rest of the Dons squad as they look to avoid their third relegation in five seasons.

But with Russell Martin at the helm and Dons edging their way towards safety in the division, Lewington admitted finishing 18th would not be a result to be proud of.

He said: "If you'd asked us in August, we'd be disappointed finishing just a few places above the relegation zone but you have to look into the details of what happened over the season.

"Since Russ came in, we've had a really good few months with a lot of improvement. We're finding a style that's a lot more like the MK Dons of four or five years ago. We still have a lot to improve, but there is a lot to be positive about. On the whole though, it has been a disappointing season if we were to finish where we are."