MK Dons and Northampton Town played out a goalless draw in their Sky Bet League One encounter at the PTS Academy Stadium.

Russell Martin’s men dominated Tuesday’s encounter, enjoying close to 70 percent of the possession, but failed to break down a stubborn Cobblers backline.

The draw makes it five points from three games for the Dons, which leaves them 19th in the Sky Bet League One table heading into the Emirates FA Cup break.

Boss Martin made three changes from the side which drew to AFC Wimbledon, with Daniel Harvie, David Kasumu and Carlton Morris replacing Matthew Sorinola, Lasse Sorensen and Stephen Walker.

The Dons were forced into defensive action early on, with both Richard Keogh and Dean Lewington producing vital blocks inside the opening four minutes.

Cameron Jerome then registered his side’s first shot on goal with an ambitious 25-yard lob which had Jonathan Mitchell panicked but landed on the roof of his net.

Neither goalkeeper was really troubled for the first 25 minutes, aside from Fisher having to deal with a Harry Smith header – a save which was pretty routine for the MK Dons number 13.

Russell Martin’s men also had a penalty shout ignored by referee Thomas Bramall, despite Morris being hauled down in the area while trying to connect with a cross from Harvie.

The Dons’ number 9 later tried his luck with a fierce right-footed strike which stung the palms of Mitchell at his near post. Morris had been picked out brilliantly by Lewington, who had advanced forward.

At the other end, Kasumu got himself in the way of a shot from Sam Hoskins who had pounced on a loose ball inside the Dons box. From the resulting corner, Keogh blocked a goal-bound header from Smith.

Fisher was then called into action to deal with a low drive from Danny Rose – his first real save of the game. Moments later, the Dons were dealt a blow with Fraser forced off injured – he was replaced by Louis Thompson.

The half petered out with little to trouble the scoreline, but the Dons set about changing that right from kick off and should have had a penalty just two minutes into the second period but the referee missed a clear foul on Jerome inside the area, as the striker went to shoot.

Northampton created a golden opportunity to break the deadlock from a free-kick on 58 minutes but an unmarked Fraser Horsfall failed to hit the target with his header. Later, Rose hit the side netting after getting behind the Dons’ backline from a long ball over the top.

The Dons then threatened with a teasing Morris cross which Poole couldn’t quite connect with at the far post. Before the resulting corner could be taken, Martin went to his bench and replaced Jerome and Kasumu with Stephen Walker and Ben Gladwin.

Fisher produced another strong save with 13 minutes remaining to keep substitute Benny Ashley-Seal from finding the net. The crossbar then came to the Dons’ rescue from the corner that followed – it was Horsfall’s header that crashed against the woodwork.

The Dons responded and had two efforts blocked – both Gladwin and Morris seeing their ranging strikes denied. Poole also tried his luck from distance but saw his attempt fizz narrowly wide of the right upright.

Three minutes were added on at the end of the 90 to provide a chance for someone to steal the spoils. It was Martin’s side who controlled the stoppage time period but couldn’t fashion a chance to end their away drought – as a result, they were forced to settle for another point.

MK Dons: Fisher, Lewington, Keogh, Poole, Kasumu (Gladwin 70), Morris, Fraser (Thompson 36), O’Hora, Harvie, Houghton, Jerome (Walker 70).

Subs: Nicholls, Williams, Sorensen, Sorinola.

Booked: Kasumu, Jerome

Northampton Town: Mitchell, Harriman, Sowerby, Bolger, Horsfall, Hoskins, Watson (Adams 57), Smith, Rose (Ashley-Seal 77), Sheehan, Marshall (Holmes 58).

Subs: Arnold, Racic, Missilou, Chukweumeka.

Booked: Sowerby

Referee: T Bramall