Winning is all that matters to Warne as Dons make it four in a row

It was not the best of performances but it was enough for MK Dons to continue their march towards League One with a 1-0 win over Colchester United on Wednesday.

With eight games remaining, Dons moved back within two points of leaders Bromley and seven points away from the play-off pack after a Matt Macey own goal send Colchester back to Essex pointless, while Paul Warne’s side made it 15 games unbeaten and claimed a fourth win in a row to keep themselves in second spot in League Two.

“I’ve told them since the start of the season: winning isn’t easy, it isn’t for everybody,” said Warne afterwards. “You have to work hard, and I’m screaming at the subs to keep working really hard.

“We possibly weren’t at our best, but the opposition didn’t hit the target and had to change and we still won, so I’m complaining my diamond shoes are too tight. We won the game, that’s all that matters.

“Teams are coming here and changing the way they play, and that’s credit to our lads. Colchester are normally front-footed, but they really sunk in tonight and I don’t think we moved the ball quick enough.

“In the first-half, we made loads of passes but it was sideway and backwards. I don’t think we drilled enough pace into the game, but we got a goal and we deserved the lead.

“The game changed in the second-half, we defended well and they didn’t have a shot on target so it probably felt a bit more scary than it really was. We won the game, and we move on. It won’t be one for the highlights reel.”

The only goal of the game came six minutes before half-time, when Ben Wiles’ looping header came back off the bar, and Aaron Collins looked a cert to tap home, only to somehow hit the post, with the rebound hitting U’s keeper Macey and into the net.

Warne continued: “It was a great header from Wilesy, we got lucky in it falling to Collo but I don’t know how he’s missed, he’s hit the post and luckily it hit the keeper and went in. I don’t think we’ve been on the end of much luck so it made a nice change. In fairness, we’ve hit the bar and we looked a bit more like it.

“The frustration for me was that when we got into crossing positions, they were a bit floaty and safe. Ironically, we scored off a floaty one, but I just felt when we got into a position to cross, there wasn’t enough courage or conviction.

“I’m picking holes, we won again and that’s a good thing. In fairness, Arsenal aren’t outstanding every week are they?

“Generally, you get to this stage and the lads can virtually take the team meetings, they know what is expected of them, and they can perform at a level.

“They will perform better and maybe lose, but they understand the importance of winning. It doesn’t matter what it looks like. The opposition made it hard, they sunk in, made good tackles and they’re a good side.”