Robbie Neilson was disappointed that his MK Dons side weren’t able to take anything from their closely-contested Sky Bet League One clash with Gillingham.
Neilson’s Dons, who went in to the game on the back of successive victories, were beaten 1-0 at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium courtesy of Cody McDonald’s 72nd-minute header – a cruel blow in match there was little to separate either side.
“We’re disappointed not to come away with anything from the game,” the 36-year-old told MK Dons PlayerHD.
“The game was really tight at that point and we had a good opportunity to take the lead with the penalty in the first half and if we’d have taken that then it would possibly had changed the game – we didn’t take it but there was still a lot of time to get a winner or earn at least a draw.
“We’re disappointed not to come away with anything from the game,” the 36-year-old told MK Dons PlayerHD.
“The game was really tight at that point and we had a good opportunity to take the lead with the penalty in the first half and if we’d have taken that then it would possibly had changed the game – we didn’t take it but there was still a lot of time to get a winner or earn at least a draw.
He continued: “This is a tough place to come to because they’ve got a good home record but the lads are disappointed, as am I and as are the fans, I’m sure, too."
“Then we get done near the end on the counter attack, which was really disappointing because we’ve done a lot of work defensively. We gave away a sloppy corner when we should have nullified their attack 80 yards from our own goal.”
“We changed our formation and went 4-4-2 and I thought we were getting control of the game – we were getting Reeves and Carruthers into good pockets and the two boys up front were causing problems.
Tickets for the Dons' Boxing Day clash with Charlton are priced at £22 adults, £17 over-65s/under-21s and £7 under-18s, while under-12s can go FREE with a Young Dons membership - Season Ticket holders can also bring two friends for £30.
To purchase tickets click here, visit the Box Office/centre:mk kiosk or call 0333 200 5343.
The manager revealed post-match that George Baldock could be set for a spell on the sidelines with the injury that forced him off shortly after half-time, while he also confirmed that Darren Potter will serve a two-match suspension for collecting his 10th yellow card of the campaign.
While the majority of his squad should be rested and fresh when they take to the field against Charlton Athletic on Boxing Day, Neilson does looks set to be short of two more key players.
“We’ve nine days to prepare before we go into our next batch of games so I’ve given them a couple of days off just to try and recuperate as it has been a tough ask.”
“It’s a tough week that we’ve had with two big games and I think it took its toll towards the end because we don’t have a huge squad and we’re still trying to get them as fit as we can.
Neilson believes the physical and mental affect of those two tough matches may have played a part in the weekend’s defeat.
Saturday’s clash in Kent came just four days after the Dons were forced into extra-time in their Emirates FA Cup replay with Charlton Athletic and a week after the much-hyped clash with AFC Wimbledon at Stadium MK.
To purchase tickets click here, visit the Box Office/centre:mk kiosk or call 0333 200 5343.
The manager revealed post-match that George Baldock could be set for a spell on the sidelines with the injury that forced him off shortly after half-time, while he also confirmed that Darren Potter will serve a two-match suspension for collecting his 10th yellow card of the campaign.
While the majority of his squad should be rested and fresh when they take to the field against Charlton Athletic on Boxing Day, Neilson does looks set to be short of two more key players.
“We’ve nine days to prepare before we go into our next batch of games so I’ve given them a couple of days off just to try and recuperate as it has been a tough ask.”
“It’s a tough week that we’ve had with two big games and I think it took its toll towards the end because we don’t have a huge squad and we’re still trying to get them as fit as we can.
Neilson believes the physical and mental affect of those two tough matches may have played a part in the weekend’s defeat.
Saturday’s clash in Kent came just four days after the Dons were forced into extra-time in their Emirates FA Cup replay with Charlton Athletic and a week after the much-hyped clash with AFC Wimbledon at Stadium MK.
