Report: MK Dons 1-0 Coventry City
9,060 (908 Coventry City fans).Attendance:Walsh. Booking:
O’Keefe (50). Goal:
Nicholls, Brittain, Tilney, Bowditch. Unused subs:
Martin; Baldock (Downing 83), Williams, Walsh, Lewington (c); O’Keefe, Upson; Reeves, Barnes, Muirhead (Potter 77); Agard (Ngombo 70). Starting XI:
However, the Dons were able to comfortably see out the closing stages to hold on for an important three points.
Coventry weren’t giving up though and a stunning save from David Martin kept out Ruben Lameiras’ close-range effort with just over 10 minutes remaining.
The Dons responded with a purposeful run from Barnes, who beat a couple of men before trying to pick out a team-mate but Burge did well to intercept.
An extremely rare foray forward for the visitors saw Ryan Haynes find fellow substitute Charles Vernam, whose shot was deflected into the side-netting by Williams.
Burge brilliantly denied Agard on 65 minutes when diving away to his left, although the goal would’ve been ruled out anyway as the offside flag was up.
They didn’t have to wait much longer though as O’Keefe arrowed an effort into the top left-hand corner after the ball had fallen to him 15 yards out. Superb strike.
Barnes fired the first chance of the second half narrowly wide from 25 yards as the Dons looked to fast start and get that elusive goal.
O’Keefe was again involved just before the break as he picked out Agard but the striker couldn’t get enough on the midfielder’s cross and the Sky Blues escaped.
Buoyed by his international call-up, Joe Walsh forced Burge into another stop courtesy of a powerful header after he met O’Keefe’s corner.
Thirteen-goal man Kieran Agard went closest on 37 minutes as he directed Williams’ flick-on inches wide of the right-hand post – some thought it was in.
Shortly afterwards, O’Keefe and Ben Reeves forced saves from Burge in quick succession as the men from MK1 began to show a little more in front of goal.
Driving runs almost brought about openings following good work from Baldock and Barnes, who then saw a shot blocked from 20 yards after pouncing on a loose ball.
An incisive pass from George Williams started a smart move which concluded with Harvey Barnes being crowded out before the former tested Lee Burge from distance.
Looking to bounce back, the Dons made a positive and purposeful start as they pushed their opponents back in the opening minutes.
Dean Lewington and George Baldock returned to the starting XI following their suspensions for the visit of the Sky Blues.
A superb second-half strike from Stuart O’Keefe deservedly earned the three points for Robbie Neilson’s men, who also collected a clean sheet in the process.
MK Dons returned to winning ways courtesy of a 1-0 success over Coventry City at Stadium MK.
