Report: Huddersfield Town 2-0 Dons
Two second-half goals from Huddersfield Town proved to be the difference in a tight encounter at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Nicky Maynard was handed his first start for the Dons, while Samir Carruthers and Carl Baker also came in for Simon Church, Ben Reeves and Rob Hall.
The Dons breathed a sigh of relief as early as the first minute when Ishmael Miller headed Sean Scannell’s cross wide of the target from close range.
Karl Robinson’s men came even closer to breaking the deadlock on six minutes but Maynard couldn’t get enough on Josh Murphy’s dangerous left-wing delivery.
Jordan Spence’s burst down the right created another chance shortly afterwards, this time for Samir Carruthers, who saw his low goal-bound drive well blocked.
A favourable ricochet presented Maynard with an opportunity on 11 minutes, and the striker attempted to lob Jed Steer from 20 yards but the Aston Villa loanee was able to step back and gather.
The game continued to ebb and flow but there were no further chances until the 26th minute when David Martin pushed Miller’s shot around the post.
At the other end, Kyle McFadzean almost picked out Maynard with a clever ball in between the two Terriers centre-backs before Murphy again threatened but to no avail in the end just past the half-hour mark.
Jason Davidson and Carl Baker fired over for either side as the half drew to a close, with the final act of the first 45 seeing Martin comfortably gather Emyr Huws’ shot.
The first real action of the second period saw a teasing cross from Murphy flash across the box following fantastic football involving three Dons.
Just as the Dons were looking comfortable, they found themselves behind when Nahki Wells raced on to a poor back-pass and coolly slotted past Martin.
Miller had an opportunity to make it 2-0 shortly afterwards but he fired well over after being played in by strike partner Wells.
Reeves, Daniel Powell and Church were all introduced to aid the men from MK1’s push for an equaliser and the former droved a dangerous ball across the box which had to be cleared.
Meanwhile, Huddersfield were trying to extend their lead and Scannell hit the side-netting with a fierce drive from 15 yards.
On the counter after breaking up a Terriers corner, the Dons headed forward with pace and Murphy found Powell, who drove at the hosts’ defence before curling an effort not too far off target.
Substitute Jamie Paterson made sure of the points in the dying embers of the game, capitalising on a underhit pass and finishing smartly past Martin.
The Dons will be looking to bounce back at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
MK Dons: Martin; Spence, Kay, McFadzean, Lewington (c); Poyet, Forster-Caskey, Carruthers (Reeves 59); Baker (Powell 64), Murphy; Maynard (Church 75).
Unused subs: Burns, Hodson, Hall, Gallagher.
Bookings: Kay, Forster-Caskey.
Referee: Peter Bankes
