Robbie Neilson was pleased with the composure shown by his MK Dons side in their come-from-behind 4-1 victory over Maidstone United in the Emirates FA Cup.
Trailing to a Magnus Okuonghae goal at the break, Neilson’s men showed calmness and confidence in the second half to get themselves back into the tie and eventually go on to secure a comfortable win – one which saw them through to the Third Round of the prestigious competition.
“It was a proper FA Cup game,” Neilson said during his post-match interviews.
“The FA Cup is always difficult – I’ve been involved in so many games like this where the worry of suffering an upset puts a bit of fear into everyone.
“We created a number of chances in the first half but we didn’t take them and when you don’t take them, it always gives them an opportunity. [Maidstone] were up for it - they made things difficult early on and they got the first goal.
“It is very easy in these games to start panicking and crumbling but we didn’t do that. The players showed good strength of character in the second half – they were calm, they were composed and eventually got the first goal, then the second and then the game changed totally from there.”
He added: “All in all, a good day. If you’re going to progress in cup competitions you are going to get games like this where you’ve just got to get through and we did that – I’m pleased to get through.”
Here is what else Neilson had to say in his post-match interviews...
On Maidstone’s goal...
“The ball comes out and the boy smashes it. It then rebounds off the goalkeeper and if it went half a yard to the left then [Ethan Ebanks-Landell] clears it and if it goes half a yard to the right then George Williams clears it. Unfortunately it went straight to their player and he put it in. We managed to resume our composure and get back into it.”
On Aidan Nesbitt...
“He’s got great quality which is the reason we brought him down here. He just needs to fill himself out a little bit to be able to stand up to the challenge of playing 90 minutes week in and week out at this level but I’m sure it will come.”
On the impact of the substitutes...
“The guys before them did a lot of hard work and they put in the yards to wear down the opposition. They then came on for the last 30 minutes and caused them real problems with their pace."
On Kieran Agard...
“I’m pleased for [Kieran]. The last few weeks have been great for him and hopefully that continues.”
On the Third Round draw...
“The main thing is to get a home draw – that would be great. Either we get a lesser-ranked team which would better our chances of progressing through or we get a huge team and have a great day. We’ll see what happens.”
On winning the first of three successive home games...
“It’s three competitions we want to do well in. The league is the bread and butter, of course, but the Checkatrade and the FA Cup are important for us too.”
On the fans’ support...
“The fans really got behind us, pushing for us to get that first goal and then the second. Hopefully they enjoyed the second half.”
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