League One: MK Dons 2-1 Luton Town

A spectacular Alex Gilbey goal and Aaron Collins’ tenth of the season helped MK Dons to pick up a vital victory over rivals Luton Town on Saturday.

Gilbey’s stunning first-half volley gave the hosts the lead at Stadium MK, but Jordan Clark’s strike with 20 minutes to go threatened to spoil the party. Collins though was downed in the box before dispatching his penalty seven seven minutes later to see Dons to their first league win of the season.

After the miserable 5-1 defeat to Reading last week, Dons boss Paul Warne opted to make five changes to his side for the early kick-off against Luton Town. Out went three of the back five, with only Charlie Goode and Marvin Ekpiteta keeping their places, replaced by Sam Silvera, Eli Campbell and Jack Sanders. Ben Wiles and Dan Barlaser were also out of the side, with skipper Alex Gilbey and Ibrahim Fullah coming into the side.

Somewhat understandably, Dons looked cagey in the opening 15 minutes against a Luton side fresh off the back of a comfortable 4-1 away win, taking their time to settle into the game. Everything appeared rushed and frantic, allowing for a couple of half-chances for the visitors, falling for Kasey Palmer on the edge of the box, prompting decent saves from keeper Will Dennis.

The turning point though came on 25 minutes in spectacular fashion. Picking the ball up on the right-hand touchline, skipper Alex Gilbey flicked the ball past two Luton defenders, and as it bobbled up off the second, he unleashed an unstoppable volley from 30 yards over the top of keeper James Shea to give the home side the lead.

From there, they looked the more settled as the vocal Luton support began to turn, drawing boos as the Hatters sat back and got hemmed in by the home side in the run-up to half-time.

The second-half was equally as cagey from both sides as the weight of winning looked heavy on both sides. Dons looked the more likely to add to their advantage, with three Sam Nombe crosses dropping just out of reach of his team-mates.

With 20 minutes to go though, the game sparked into another gear when Luton drew level through Jordan Clark. Afforded too much time on the edge of the box, the midfielder was able to pick his spot in the bottom corner to equalise.

But seven minutes later, Collins snatched the ball from Kai Naismith’s pocket to bear down on goal, before being upended by the Hatters skipper. After agonising seconds deliberating, referee Martin Coy pointed to the spot, and the Welshman duly dispatched his spot kick for his tenth of the season to restore Dons’ lead.

While the remainder of the game was edgy for both sides, Luton never really looked like troubling Dons’ goal as the hosts held on for a much-needed victory.

Referee: Martin Coy

Attendance: 16,377

MK Dons: Dennis, Ekpiteta, Sanders, Goode, Campbell, Silvera (Bramall 89), Fullah (Wiles 59), Gilbey, Wintle, Collins, Nombe

Subs not used: Stacey, G Jones, Barlaser, Crowley, Matete

Luton Town: Shea, Odoffin, Anderson (Cole 83), Naismith, Johnston, Walsh, Clark, Mendel (Richards 83), Donley (Lawrence 75), Palmer (I Jones 83), Wells (Marshall 59)

Subs not used: Keeley, Johnson

Booked: Wintle