Lincoln City 1-1 MK Dons - Relive the game as it happened at Sincil Bank
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Lincoln City 1-1 MK Dons
Pre-match stats
Two teams keen for some points this evening as Dons take on Lincoln City - here’s what you need to know ahead of kick-off
Skipper nearing a comeback
Having been out since November with hamstring trouble, Dean Lewington is getting closer to a return for MK Dons. And not a minute too soon.
The skipper has been back doing light training with the squad, and his return could be just a few weeks away now.
With defensive injuries leaving them short, Dons could also welcome back Daniel Harvie this evening whose knee injury was better than initially feared after he was ruled out against Ipswich at the weekend.
The mini league starts now
Mark Jackson has told his players to ignore the previous 33 games, and to focus on the remaining 13 as Dons look to get out of the relegation scrap.
Two points from safety prior to kick-off tonight, Dons will take on opposition in the lower half of the table for the next month, offering up the best opportunity for them to get some points on the board and away from the bottom four.
Hear from the Lincoln boss ahead of the game
I'm not sure what they'll do, based on what they've done recently. I think they've had a good January, and look a potent team. They've got strong strikers and wingers in the final third.
I don't get caught up in the last three games, they've played some big, big teams. I know they've conceded 11 but I think it will be as tough a game as any.
I don't expect to turn up to Sincil Bank and roll MK Dons over. We'll have to be at our best to win.
Stockdale on tricky Lincoln test
It's a tricky game against Lincoln, a team who don't lose many matches. They're difficult to break down, have some quality in attacking areas, and we'll have to play well.
It might mean people coming off the bench will have to make an impact, we've had a busy schedule and some players are carrying knocks, but we'll go there with a positive frame of mind to pick up points.
Sometimes a draw isn't the worst result. If you can't win, don't lose. It just proves they're stubborn, and we're fully aware of what the game will bring.
MK Dons team news
Two changes tonight for MK Dons as Ethan Robson and Daniel Harvie return to the side, with Dawson Devoy and Henry Lawrence dropping to the bench
Team: Cumming, Jules, Tucker, Harvie, Watson, McEachran, Maghoma, Robson, Leko, Kaikai, Eisa
Subs: Ravizzoli, Smith, Grigg, Holland, Johnson, Lawrence, Devoy
2 mins: Phew...
Heart in your mouth moment inside two mins as Cumming dwells on the ball a bit too long, invites Plange to close him down but he gets rid just in time
6 mins: GOAL - Lincoln take the lead
A cracking strike to give Lincoln the lead. Danny Mandroiu is picked out on the edge of the box by Jack Diamond, and has bent in a briliant right-footed effort into the top corner, Cumming with no chance.
15 mins: Dons going into their shells
A let off again for Dons, who haven’t looked the same since going behind. Tucker is cheaply dispossessed, Diamond is able to cross, Poole is there to fire it back across but it goes out on the far side after fizzing through a crowd of players.
25 mins: Tough watching
Tucker and Jules playing it back and forth amongst each other, McEachran getting a touch from time to time as well. And that’s basically been it since the goal.
Dons having real troubles breaking into the opposition half
30 mins: Some positive play
Dons venture into the Lincoln half with a bit of intent at last, playing some nice stuff down the right-hand side, Kaikai and Maghoma involved but it doesn’t come to much.
39 mins: Jules into the book
The defender gets a yellow card after he bundles Diamond to the ground.
It’s a really boring game, this. Aside from the goal, barely anything has happened.
42 mins: Dons in the box?!
42 mins and at last, M KDons get into the penalty area. Eisa’s sent to the deck by O’Connor for a corner, which ultimately comes to nothing.
HALF TIME: Lincoln City 1-0 MK Dons
What a rubbish game of football this is. Nothing of quality whatsoever except Mandroiu’s rocket after five minutes.
Second-half
Lincoln restart the game.
Surely the second-half has to be better than the first... right?!
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