Karl Robinson says he was ‘ecstatic’ after his side’s hard-fought 2-0 victory over Yeovil Town on Saturday.
The Dons bounced back from their defeat to Bristol City to beat the Glovers in a difficult contest at Huish Park, and move within two points of second place in the Sky Bet League 1 table.
“I’m ecstatic,” Robinson told MK Dons Player after the match. “We spoke about the importance of this game in the build-up and I didn’t hide from the fact I saw it as a make or break game for us.
“I thought a draw would have been fair up until the sending off, if I’m being honest, but it was the same here two years ago when it was a very even affair until a sending off changed the course of the game.
“The wind was swirling round and it was a really dry pitch. The way the fans get behind them here has an affect and they have a manger that has made many a manager sweat to get anything out of a game here.
“Once they had their man sent off, though, we felt we had the players to take advantage. We’ve got tremendous pace in the team and that was exciting to watch.
“It was a very solid performance. I didn’t think there was much in the game so to come away with a victory really sends out a message.”
Saturday’s win and clean-sheet – the Dons’ first since August – came despite Robinson being forced to play midfielder Mark Randall at right-back, after an already depleted defence lost Tom Flanagan midway through the first half to injury.
“I told the players at half-time to win it for Tom Flanagan. He’s somebody who hasn’t played a game all season, and then when I call upon him he has to come off with a bang to the head. The way the boys responded to that was magnificent.
“Mark Randall played well at right-back and his ball for the first goal was sensational. He’s somebody who I’m really proud of having started to get his feet back on the ground after going through an awful lot in his young career. I’m happy the way he’s come back from that to perform the way he is.
“I didn’t think it was a classic clean sheet and Dave certainly played his part, however its two goals and a clean sheet away from home and you wouldn’t find a manager that would turn his nose up at that.”
Karl Robinson's side are in action on Tuesday when they host AFC Wimbledon in the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Southern Section.
Tickets for the clash are available to buy right up until kick-off, priced from £12 for adults, £10 for seniors and £1 for under-18s.
Click here to purchase tickets or visit the MK Dons Box Office at stadiummk or the kiosk at thecentre:mk, call 01908 622900 or e-mail boxoffice@mkdons.com.
“I’m ecstatic,” Robinson told MK Dons Player after the match. “We spoke about the importance of this game in the build-up and I didn’t hide from the fact I saw it as a make or break game for us.
“I thought a draw would have been fair up until the sending off, if I’m being honest, but it was the same here two years ago when it was a very even affair until a sending off changed the course of the game.
“The wind was swirling round and it was a really dry pitch. The way the fans get behind them here has an affect and they have a manger that has made many a manager sweat to get anything out of a game here.
“Once they had their man sent off, though, we felt we had the players to take advantage. We’ve got tremendous pace in the team and that was exciting to watch.
“It was a very solid performance. I didn’t think there was much in the game so to come away with a victory really sends out a message.”
Saturday’s win and clean-sheet – the Dons’ first since August – came despite Robinson being forced to play midfielder Mark Randall at right-back, after an already depleted defence lost Tom Flanagan midway through the first half to injury.
“I told the players at half-time to win it for Tom Flanagan. He’s somebody who hasn’t played a game all season, and then when I call upon him he has to come off with a bang to the head. The way the boys responded to that was magnificent.
“Mark Randall played well at right-back and his ball for the first goal was sensational. He’s somebody who I’m really proud of having started to get his feet back on the ground after going through an awful lot in his young career. I’m happy the way he’s come back from that to perform the way he is.
“I didn’t think it was a classic clean sheet and Dave certainly played his part, however its two goals and a clean sheet away from home and you wouldn’t find a manager that would turn his nose up at that.”
Karl Robinson's side are in action on Tuesday when they host AFC Wimbledon in the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Southern Section.
Tickets for the clash are available to buy right up until kick-off, priced from £12 for adults, £10 for seniors and £1 for under-18s.
Click here to purchase tickets or visit the MK Dons Box Office at stadiummk or the kiosk at thecentre:mk, call 01908 622900 or e-mail boxoffice@mkdons.com.
