Gladwin and Fraser on target as Dons ease past Rovers

A Ben Gladwin wonder-strike and Scott Fraser's seventh goal of the season ensured MK Dons picked up three important points against Bristol Rovers.

Paul Tisdale returned to Stadium MK for the first time since being sacked in November 2019, but could only watch on as Dons over-powered his side from the off. Fraser and Regan Poole had chances to open the scoring but it needed a thunderous Gladwin effort in first half stoppage time to separate the sides.

A more lively visiting side emerged for the second half, but Fraser made it 2-0 on 62 minutes, neatly slotting home Cameron Jerome's defence-splitting pass.

Dons should have put the game to bed with chances from both Fraser, Poole and substitute Joe Mason going awry, but the points were in the bag as Dons moved up to 16th in the table.

Russell Martin was forced into four changes to his side as a result of injury, illness and a like sale. David Kasumu limped out of Stadium MK prior to kick-off, followed by Matthew Sorinola who was ill and George Williams has been told to isolate under track and trace. Carlton Morris meanwhile was omitted after rumours he would be sold by parent club Norwich City during the January transfer window. It meant a threadbare bench, with only five named, including two youngsters in the form of Lewis Johnson and Jack Davies – both of which were poised for their league debuts.

Despite being light on numbers, it was all Dons in the first half. Scott Fraser had an early sight of goal and tested Jordi van Stappershoef at his near post, while Ben Gladwin and Regan Poole both had efforts blocked by the deep-lying Rovers defence.

The visitors barely threatened, despite a five minute spell midway through the opening half, but Dons were dealt the first blow of the game, losing Warren O'Hora to an injury after throwing himself on the line to keep out a cross to the far post. He had to be replaced by Baily Cargill.

While Fraser and Daniel Harvie appeared to be the thorns in the Rovers side, it was a Gladwin screamer in first half stoppage time which was exactly what they deserved. Picking up the ball on the edge of the centre circle from Andrew Surman, Gladwin was afforded time and space to roam forwards before lashing in an unstoppable effort into the top corner to see his side in front at the break.

A rejuvenated Rovers emerged from the dressing room for the second half and twice could have drawn level but Fisher got enough on his saves to keep the visitors at bay.

Dons weren't without chances either though, and Poole had two bites of the cherry to double their advantage, but twice came up short.

They weren't denied for long though as Fraser fired in his seventh of the season. Surman picked up a loose pass from the Rovers keeper, finding Jerome who then slid in Fraser to slide neatly past van Stappershoef after 62 minutes.

As the game opened up, Fraser missed a great opportunity when Harvie picked him out on the edge of the box, while Poole and substitute Joe Mason also had excellent chances which they should have done better with.

The result though would be fair as Dons cruised to the full time whistle unscathed, with only an Ed Upson shot well over the bar of note for the visitors.

Referee: James Oldham

MK Dons: Fisher, Lewington, Keogh, O'Hora (Cargill 41), Harvie, Poole, Surman (Freeman 86), Gladwin (Mason 69), Sorensen, Fraser, Jerome (Johnson 69)

Subs not used: Nicholls, Davies,

Bristol Rovers: Van Stappershoef, Leahy, Ehmer, Upson, Hanlan (Ayunga 84), Nicholson, McCormick, Kilgour, Hargreaves (Barrett 68), Baldwin, Koiki (Rodman 77)

Subs not used: Armstrong, Little, Liddle, Harries

Booked: Gladwin, McCormick, Keogh