Robbie Neilson was disappointed his MK Dons side didn’t make the most of their dominant start in Monday's 1-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic.
Neilson’s Dons, who went into the match in search of their third straight home win, saw most of the ball in the early exchanges and went close to opening the scoring on a number occasions.
They didn’t, however, find the breakthrough and they were made to pay on 38 minutes when Ademola Lookman found the net against the run of play – earning his side all three points on a frustrating Boxing Day afternoon for the men from MK1.
“It was disappointing,” Neilson said afterwards. “In the first 35 minutes we were the better side and we were creating chances but in any game, if you have a sustained period like that, you have to score.
They didn’t, however, find the breakthrough and they were made to pay on 38 minutes when Ademola Lookman found the net against the run of play – earning his side all three points on a frustrating Boxing Day afternoon for the men from MK1.
“It was disappointing,” Neilson said afterwards. “In the first 35 minutes we were the better side and we were creating chances but in any game, if you have a sustained period like that, you have to score.
“In the end, if you're in control for 30 minutes, you have to score because if you don't, the likelihood of you winning the game is more difficult.”
He added: “It was a nothing game really between two teams who are very similar. We had small spells and period where we came to life but it wasn't to be.
“Once they scored they tried to kill it, spending a lot of time with the ball out of play which makes it difficult to get any flow into the game. That said, it's up to us to get it going although that was difficult because we were asking people to play out of position and we haven’t got that variety at the moment.”
“Up until then we had controlled it. Charlton didn't create too much but they had one bit of creativity from that ball, where we didn't narrow off enough and it led to a good finish from Lookman.
“After that, we lost (Dean) Bowditch and had to shift things about. We had to move people into areas they aren't comfortable playing and then it became a scrappy game.
He added: “It was a nothing game really between two teams who are very similar. We had small spells and period where we came to life but it wasn't to be.
“Once they scored they tried to kill it, spending a lot of time with the ball out of play which makes it difficult to get any flow into the game. That said, it's up to us to get it going although that was difficult because we were asking people to play out of position and we haven’t got that variety at the moment.”
“Up until then we had controlled it. Charlton didn't create too much but they had one bit of creativity from that ball, where we didn't narrow off enough and it led to a good finish from Lookman.
“After that, we lost (Dean) Bowditch and had to shift things about. We had to move people into areas they aren't comfortable playing and then it became a scrappy game.
