David Martin admits his penalty save last weekend was more luck than judgement, but is pleased it helped his side earn the win.
Karl Robinson’s side were leading Crawley Town 1-0 when Kyle McFadzean was adjudged to have fouled ex-Don Izale McLeod in the penalty area 20 minutes from time.
The striker, on his first return to stadiummk since moving on this summer, picked himself up to take the spot kick in-front of the Cowshed, but was denied by the feet of Martin, diving to his left.
“It was more luck than judgement going the right way,” Martin told MK Dons Player. “I didn’t have any inside knowledge of Izale’s penalty taking because he’s usually all over the place with his penalties.
“I knew it was going to be a sending off because Kyle was last man and it was a goal scoring opportunity but initially I was setting up for a free kick because I thought it was outside the box! I was just pleased to go the right way and make the save.”
Despite a nervy final 20 minutes down with just 10 men, the Dons were able to hold off their Sussex opponents and even add a second goal to Dele Alli’s opener in stoppage time, courtesy of on-loan forward Benik Afobe.
Although delighted with the three points and two goals, Martin was just was pleased to keep another clean-sheet – the team’s fourth straight shutout.
He added: “We felt pretty comfortable up until the sending off. I think everyone still had an adrenaline rush from Tuesday because moved the ball really well and it was lovely to watch for me back in goal - I hardly had to the touch it!
“Then, the last 20 minutes felt like six hours, almost. It’s great to have a clean sheet at the end of it because I was a little bit busier than I want to be at home. I was pleased I was there to make the saves, including the penalty save.
Martin continued: “The work that the gaffer and Richie have put in this year has been phenomenal and it’s up to the lads to keeping working hard and the manager to keep cracking that whip.”
The striker, on his first return to stadiummk since moving on this summer, picked himself up to take the spot kick in-front of the Cowshed, but was denied by the feet of Martin, diving to his left.
“It was more luck than judgement going the right way,” Martin told MK Dons Player. “I didn’t have any inside knowledge of Izale’s penalty taking because he’s usually all over the place with his penalties.
“I knew it was going to be a sending off because Kyle was last man and it was a goal scoring opportunity but initially I was setting up for a free kick because I thought it was outside the box! I was just pleased to go the right way and make the save.”
Despite a nervy final 20 minutes down with just 10 men, the Dons were able to hold off their Sussex opponents and even add a second goal to Dele Alli’s opener in stoppage time, courtesy of on-loan forward Benik Afobe.
Although delighted with the three points and two goals, Martin was just was pleased to keep another clean-sheet – the team’s fourth straight shutout.
He added: “We felt pretty comfortable up until the sending off. I think everyone still had an adrenaline rush from Tuesday because moved the ball really well and it was lovely to watch for me back in goal - I hardly had to the touch it!
“Then, the last 20 minutes felt like six hours, almost. It’s great to have a clean sheet at the end of it because I was a little bit busier than I want to be at home. I was pleased I was there to make the saves, including the penalty save.
Martin continued: “The work that the gaffer and Richie have put in this year has been phenomenal and it’s up to the lads to keeping working hard and the manager to keep cracking that whip.”
