Martin cannot explain Dons' second half slump

It was a frustrating afternoon for Russell Martin after his side did the 'complete opposite' of what they had discussed at half time against Doncaster Rovers.

Alex Gilbey, Carlton Morris and Rhys Healey helped carve no fewer than eight chances in the opening 45 minutes as they looked by far the better side at Stadium MK, but Jacon Ramsey's goal on 66 minutes proved to be enough as a rejuvenated Doncaster snatched the 1-0 win.

Losing for only the second time at home since November, manager Martin said the second half performance took him by surprise and felt his side let him down.

"First half we were excellent, as good as we've been for a long time, but I cannot explain the second half," he said. "What we spoke about and discussed at half time, we got the opposite which is annoying and frustrating. It's disappointing because if we didn't have that first half, it would be a different feeling.

"We were playing a good team, and respect to them, they were good in the second half. I can accept losi9ng if we do it our way, but we didn't look like us in the second half. We lacked intensity, which is why Doncaster had some big moments. But the game comes down to chances – they had a big one and scored, we had a big one at the end, don't score and lose 1-0.

"If we're not at our best, we need to make sure we don't conceded and get a point. We had a lot of chances in the first half and were unlucky not to be winning but that's where we're at. We played a good team who are fighting for the play-offs, we are where we are and we're trying to improve.

"We have to make sure it doesn't happen again and we don't make the same mistakes."