Warne wary of Dons' threats after Stadium MK scare

Rotherham could have been 4-0 in the first 20 minutes at Stadium MK when the sides met earlier this season, according to Millers boss Paul Warne.

Alex Gilbey and Joe Mason fired Dons 2-0 up after 13 minutes in November as Russell Martin looked on course for his first win as manager. But a double substitution at half time turned the game on it's head as Rotherham netted three second half goals to leave with all three points.

Warne though says Rotherham are still very aware of Dons' threats following their scare three months.

"First half they absolutely smoked us and we could have been 4-0 down after 20 minutes," he said. "If anyone wants to train to be a football manager, they're the moments that you don't want.

"We got them in at half time and took Crooksy (Matt Crooks) and Smudge (Michael Smith) off which was a bit of a shock in the dressing room possibly, but Freddie (Ladapo) and Vass (Kyle Vassell) came on and changed the game for us really.

"It was a completely different game second half but it did show how good they were if you do let them have the ball."

Though Dons head to the New York Stadium without an away win since September, and off the back of a 3-1 defeat to Portsmouth on Tuesday night, Warne said Dons' style of play will suit their pitch and could cause them problems.

He added: "I think MK Dons are in really good form, so they don't come here sitting behind the ball.

"They want to play, they're really expansive and we're going to have to try hard to get the ball from them because they're a possession-based team, who have a real threat.

"He's [Russell Martin] really rubber-stamped the way they want to play and he's been really successful.

"On our pitch Saturday I'm well-aware it will be a really tough game."