Fisher owed Dons' defence to make late save

After a game-saving stop at the death to deny Aidan McGeady, Dons keeper Andrew Fisher said he owed his defence at least a point against Sunderland.

Busier than his manager would have liked against the Black Cats on Tuesday, Fisher came to Dons' rescue on several occasions during the second half at Stadium MK as Dons claimed a point in a thrilling 2-2 draw.

But after a strong defensive display from Warren O'Hora, Harry Darling and skipper Dean Lewington, Fisher said he equally had to step up and do his part as the last line of defence and his save to deny McGeady was what the defenders deserved.

"All three of them, I owed them!" said Fisher. "If that went in, it would be an undeserved defeat so I just chucked my body in the way.

"There have been games where they've been so hard to beat I don't have a save to make, so when I do, I owe them to make them.

"When you make the saves, you're happy with it, but I prefer not to have any shots. I'm there to make the saves though, so that's what I try and do."

Russell Martin praised his keeper's saves as he returned to the side after sitting out the Papa John's Trophy defeat to the same opponents on Tuesday night, but admitted Fisher was called into action more often than preferred but showed why he is the club's first choice.

He said: "We had to use him more than I wanted today, but both teams had good chances. He made a save before the one at the end where our guys just looked so tired. It showed in the last 10, 15 minutes on that pitch.

"He's so quick across his line, so athletic. He's a top keeper and we're very lucky to have him. It's why Dean Thornton pushed so hard to get him in, he recognised the potential.

"He came here with a willingness to play, but he's our number one and he's loved by everyone."