Martin backs Nombe after open-goal miss

MK Dons should have gone in 1-0 up at half time against Doncaster on Saturday, but Russell Martin defended Sam Nombe's open-goal miss at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Having latched onto Lee Nicholl's long throw, Nombe rounded keeper Joe Bursik but stumbled and allowed defenders to get back and divert his effort just wide of the empty new on the stroke of half time.

Having missed an open goal against Coventry City in the Carabao Cup a week earlier too, Martin said his striker can be forgiven for the misses after a long time without games, and believes his all-round game makes up for it.

"Credit to Sam, because no-one else gets that chance," he said. "It's an incredible throw from Lee to find him, Sam gets there just before their goalie but he gets a bit on it and it allows the defenders to get something on it. Two or three games down the line, Sam probably scores that.

"I was pleased with Sam, he sets off a lot of our press, he has a lot to work on in possession, where the space is and where he can hurt teams, but he's open to learning. Out of possession, he did one hell of a job for us, which is why he came off knackered after 70 minutes."