Harley predicted Healey's free-kick would go in

Not many MK Dons fans have seen Rhys Healey's set-piece prowess, but coach Ryan Harley told Russell Martin he knew the striker would net just three minutes into their game against Lincoln on Tuesday night.

Healey's 10th goal of the season, and his fourth in as many games, was cancelled out by Liam Bridcutt's equally spectacular strike on 22 minutes as the two remaining sides promoted automatically promoted from League Two last season shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Sincil Bank. Healey would have the ball in the back of the net again early in the second half

Few could have predicted how quickly Dons would get off the mark against the Imps though, but according to manager Russell Martin, coach Harley predicted Healey would put it away.

Martin said: "Rhys has been trying those in training, and Ryan Harley said he fancied him to score. What we're doing in training translates into games. He's just offside in the second half, which I've told him off for, but he was excellent."

While Bridcutt rightly earned the plaudits for the home side, it was a tight contest for man of the match amongst the Dons' line-up, with Alex Gilbey and returning Regan Poole both turning in excellent displays.

Gilbey had a glorious chance late in the day to win it for his side but sent a left-footed strike into the side netting.

Martin continued: "Alex Gilbey was outstanding, and he deserved a goal, he's disappointed but he was excellent. It would have been the icing on the cake for him and a brilliant goal to win the game."

Poole meanwhile was making his first league start since Boxing Day's draw with Southend. Having impressed when he came on against Shrewsbury on Saturday, his manager continued to be impressed by the Welsh defender, saying :"Regan was really, really good. It is not easy coming into the game after being out for so long but he showed us that daily in training. His attitude, application and his character showed and that's why he turned in a performance like that."