Neilson beieves MK Dons are now one win from securing safety

The point gained at Vale Park takes Dons’ tally to 48 for the season, and they are 15th in the table, six points above the relegation zone going into the fimal seven games of the campaign.

Neilson’s men entertain 19th-placed Gillingham at Stadium MK on Saturday, and the Scotsman believes a win in that match will secure the club’s safety.

“I thought the first-half performance was really good, and we probably shoudl have been at least 2-0 up, but we didn’t get the goals as the cutting edge just wasn’t there,” said Neilson, looking back on the goalless draw in Burslem.

“In the second half it became quite a scrappy game, but even then we created quite a few decent chances that we should be taking.

“But that is two clean sheets on the bounce, and it is another point closer to safety.

“Looking at it now, we probably need one more win and we should be there.”

It was a frustrating day for Neilson and the Dons, but he was satisfied with his team’s defensive effort.

“The first goal is always difficult to get, and we had the opportunities to get it in the first half and didn’t quite manage it,” said Neilson.

“Our decision making the final little bit wasn’t great, and the final finish wasn’t great either.

“It’s disappointing but we have to stick together.

“It is like that at the moment, and the nervousness of not scoring a goal breeds itself back to the defence, but I thought they stood firm on Saturday.

“The key thing is we have managed to get a point and get something out of the game.”