Warne delighted as Dons secure first away win thanks to late Nombe strike
Head coach Paul Warne was a happy man after seeing MK Dons secure a first away win of the season at Stevenage on Saturday.
Dons climbed out of the Sky Bet League One drop zone as they secured a hard-fought 1-0 success in terrible conditions at the SPORTA Arena.
Sam Nombe was the goal star for the visitors, netting the only goal nine minutes from time, and Warne felt the result and the three points were well deserved for his side, who bounced back well from their 2-0 midweek defeat at Blackpool.
It was only a second league win of the campaign, and with Peterborough United, Blackpool and Notts County all failing to win, it sees the Dons climb to 18th in the table, two points above the bottom four.
The match was played in constant driving rain, and Warne said: "It was typical winter football.
"It has been lashing it down all day, and in games like this you have to defend resolutely.
"It was a game of a lot of set-pieces, a lot of free-kicks, long throws and corners, and you think in these conditions you think a mistake is going to either win you or cost you the game.
"But we defended really well, we got all first contacts, and that was the basis of a good performance.
"Then it was a case of, can you get the goal? We had four really gilt-edged chances, and luckily we took one."
Nombe's 81st-minute strike was his first in the league since his summer move from Rotherham United, and Warne was delighted to see his striker get off the mark.
"It's pretty dreamy that it was Sam who got the goal," said the head coach.
"He deserves a goal for how well he has been playing for us, leading the line, so for him to score in front of the away following is pretty magical.
"I am buzzing for Sam, he is a great kid and he has come here and wants to score goals.
"That goal has a lot of weight to it, because we needed to win away from home, and we needed to bounce back because we got a bit of stick after the Blackpool game.
"So I am really pleased, and we now have two home games coming up.
"If we can perform to a similar level then we should pick up points."
Dons are back in action on Tuesday night when they entertain third-from-bottom Bromley, who drew 1-1 with Peterborough at the weekend.
Next Saturday, Dons are at home again when they host Doncaster Rovers.