Healey scores again as Dons see off bottom club Bolton

Rhys Healey scored for the fifth game in a row as MK Dons edged past Bolton Wanderers 1-0 at Stadium MK.

The striker's 11th of the season came with 22 minutes to go as he fired home Alex Gilbey's ball, in an otherwise indifferent game.

The result keeps Dons 18th in the standings, but are now 13 points clear of the relegation zone, and have games in hand over the two teams above them.

After nearly two weeks without a game, Russell Martin was able to pick from a nearly full squad. He made one change from the side which started against Lincoln City, bringing in Ben Reeves for his first start since the Leasing.com Trophy defeat to Newport in early January.

With both sides battling it out at the wrong end of the table, the quality, especially in the first half, certainly reflected that. Neither side really made either keeper work after Rhys Healey had an effort inside the opening five minutes palmed away by Remi Matthews.

Dons best chance of the half came with six minutes to go when, after Alex Gilbey made it to the byline, Carlton Morris was smothered out by Bolton's defence, who got back in number.

The second half continued in a similar vein, though Dons were on the front foot far more than their opponents as they sought an opener.

But it was not until Martin made the change to bring Nombe back into the game in place of Reeves did the home side find an opener with 22 minutes remaining. Alex Gilbey powered clear in the midfield and unleashed Healey to his left and though his touch was heavy, Healey did enough to put the ball under Matthews and into the net.

While Bolton continued to offer little, Dennis Politic did make Nicholls work with a decent strike, while Gilbey should have doubled Dons' advantage with four minutes to go when he danced through the Bolton back line, only to be denied by Matthews from close range.

Healey could have had another to his name in stoppage time when he rounded Matthews, only to see his effort cleared off the line by Aristote Nsiala.

Referee: Ollie Yates

Attendance: 8,538 (766)

MK Dons: Nicholls, Lewington, Moore-Taylor, Williams, Poole, Houghton, Gilbey, Thompson (McGrandles 76), Reeves (Nombe 67), Morris (Gladwin 88), Healey

Subs not used: Fisher, Gladwin, Brittain, Kasumu

Bolton Wanderers: Matthews, Lowe, Hobbs, L Murphy, D Murphy, Crawford (Emmanuel 73), Fleming, Mellis (Graham 57), Hamilton (Dodoo 78), Politic, Nsiala

Subs not used: Alexander, Bunney, Delaney, O'Grady

Booked: Flemming, Nsiala, Morris