Robbie Neilson says Nicky Maynard’s injury-time winner will give his side a lift as they aim to further climb the Sky Bet League One table.
Maynard scored a stunning volley with almost the last kick of the Oldham Athletic game at Stadium MK on Tuesday night as the Dons made it four wins from six in the league.
“These games are difficult,” said Neilson. “When you get a half chance, you have to take it.
“We had a couple in the first half, with Bowditch and a couple of others. If you get a goal early in the game, it's a totally different outlook.
“Credit to Oldham, who will be devastated. They had a really good game plan, they sat in and made it really difficult for us to break down. We didn't move the ball quick enough in the first half - we did in the second but we didn't really get to a level we wanted to.
“However, if I would've come in at 0-0, I would’ve been disappointed. We would've still been undefeated, but scoring in the last minute gives everyone a massive lift.
“If we'd scored that goal in the first minute, we would've said it wasn't great, but score in the last minute and everyone leaves on a high. It was great for the team - everyone celebrated with Nicky Maynard and it got everyone on their feet.”
He added: “Nicky has fantastic quality and is a fantastic finisher. The key for Nicky Maynard is his work rate and his movement. The goals will come and he has two now. He'll build on this.
“He’s still young too, he has just turned 30 and he has a lot of years ahead of him. That's a fantastic, top-level goal.”
Neilson handed first starts to three of his January transfer window signings Stuart O’Keefe, Robbie Muirhead and Maecky Ngombo.
He said: “You have to make a decision when to put players in and when to take them out. Tonight was an opportunity to give the new boys some game time. Later in the season, these minutes could be key, rather than making their debuts under a bit more pressure.”
MK Dons will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run in the league to seven when they take on Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday - click here for full ticket details.
“These games are difficult,” said Neilson. “When you get a half chance, you have to take it.
“We had a couple in the first half, with Bowditch and a couple of others. If you get a goal early in the game, it's a totally different outlook.
“Credit to Oldham, who will be devastated. They had a really good game plan, they sat in and made it really difficult for us to break down. We didn't move the ball quick enough in the first half - we did in the second but we didn't really get to a level we wanted to.
“However, if I would've come in at 0-0, I would’ve been disappointed. We would've still been undefeated, but scoring in the last minute gives everyone a massive lift.
“If we'd scored that goal in the first minute, we would've said it wasn't great, but score in the last minute and everyone leaves on a high. It was great for the team - everyone celebrated with Nicky Maynard and it got everyone on their feet.”
He added: “Nicky has fantastic quality and is a fantastic finisher. The key for Nicky Maynard is his work rate and his movement. The goals will come and he has two now. He'll build on this.
“He’s still young too, he has just turned 30 and he has a lot of years ahead of him. That's a fantastic, top-level goal.”
Neilson handed first starts to three of his January transfer window signings Stuart O’Keefe, Robbie Muirhead and Maecky Ngombo.
He said: “You have to make a decision when to put players in and when to take them out. Tonight was an opportunity to give the new boys some game time. Later in the season, these minutes could be key, rather than making their debuts under a bit more pressure.”
MK Dons will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run in the league to seven when they take on Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday - click here for full ticket details.
