Aidan Nesbitt praised Robbie Neilson’s half-time team talk as MK Dons came from behind to overcome Maidstone United 4-1 in the Second Round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Magnus Okonghae opened the scoring for the Non-League outfit ensuring the Stones were in front come the half-time whistle.
There was to be no cup upset, however, as second-half goals from Nesbitt, Pete Pawlett and a Kieran Agard brace ensured progression into Round Three of the competition for MK Dons.
The former-Celtic winger credits Robbie Neilson’s talk at the break as a major factor to Dons’ qualification.
“Going in at half-time a goal down, the manager wasn’t panicking. He told us to move the ball a bit quicker and they’ll open up - we did that and got the goals.”
“He wanted us to be a bit quicker, a bit sharper and a bit tidier – that’s exactly what we done. We stayed calm and after the first goal the game opened up.”
It was Nesbitt’s 54th-minute goal that started the comeback for MK Dons, the 20-year-old has now scored in both the First Round and Second Round of the competition and is hoping the further his Emirates FA Cup tally when the men from MK1 travel to Queens Park Rangers in January.
“I’m really enjoying the Emirates FA Cup – I’ve obviously scored two goals in the competition and hopefully in the Third Round I can get another and continue my run.”
“I wanted to take my goal on my right foot but the defender showed me onto my left so I took him that way. As soon as it left my foot I thought it was going in and I was very happy with that.”
The goals from Neilson’s substitutions ultimately won the game as Kieran Agard took his tally to the season to five goals with his brace, while Pawlett scored his first goal in an MK Dons shirt to put the game to bed.
“For Pete to get off the mark is superb, we’ve seen what happened when Agard scored his first goals against Charlton – hopefully Pete does the same.
“It’s brilliant for both Pete and Kieran to come off the bench and score – they’re both playing really well.”
Now, Nesbitt’s attention turns to Wednesday's Checkatrade Trophy tie with Chelsea Under-21s before a return to Sky Bet League One action against Shrewsbury.
“Hopefully we can take the momentum from the second-half against Maidstone into the Checkatrade Trophy game and then into the weekend against Shrewsbury and into the festive season.”
“It’s obviously a busy schedule now so we’re hoping to start it with a bit of impetus.”
