An up-and-down month saw a depleted Dons side record some impressive results but also suffer some frustrating defeats and draws.
Robbie Neilson’s men claimed important wins over Oldham Athletic and Shrewsbury Town – two teams below them in the table – and earned points off promotion-contenders Bolton Wanderers and Bradford City.
However, with a number of key players missing games due to suspensions and injury, the men from MK1 were unable to find the consistency to climb into the top half of Sky Bet League One.
SKY BET LEAGUE ONE
PLAYER STATS
Top appearance maker: Ed Upson, Paul Downing, David Martin, Kieran Agard (36)
Top goalscorer: Kieran Agard (12)
FEBRUARY IN NUMBERS
21,545 Attendance for the clash with Bolton Wanderers - a club-record league crowd.
96 Minutes on the clock when Nicky Maynard secured all three points against Oldham Athletic with a stunning volley.
6 Games unbeaten following the 1-0 win over Oldham at Stadium MK – a run which would end the following Saturday away at Oxford United.
11 Minutes it took the men from MK1 to build up their unassailable two-goal lead against Shrewsbury Town.
7 Games the Dons played in the space of just 24 days in February – three more matches than they faced in the previous month.
GAME-BY-GAME
MK Dons 1-1 Bolton Wanderers – Sky Bet League One (Saturday 4th)
MK Dons stretched their unbeaten run to five league games with an impressive point against promotion favourites Bolton Wanderers.
Kieran Agard’s 11th goal of the season deservedly cancelled out Jay Spearing’s opener before they pushed and almost claimed a winner in front of a record league crowd at Stadium MK of 21,545.
MK Dons 1-0 Oldham Athletic – Sky Bet League One (Tuesday 7th)
Nicky Maynard scored a stunning volley with almost the last kick as MK Dons dramatically won under the lights at Stadium MK.
It looked like the men from MK1 were going to be left frustrated by a stubborn Oldham Athletic defence but Maynard popped up in the final minute of injury-time.
His magnificent strike extended the Dons’ unbeaten run in the league to six while also moving the Dons up a place and further closing the gap on the pack of teams above them.
Oxford United 1-0 MK Dons – Sky Bet League One (Saturday 11th)
Ten-man MK Dons were unable to extend their unbeaten run in Sky Bet League One to seven games after they slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat at in-form Oxford United.
The men from MK1 looked on course for a point but Kane Hemmings headed home on 88 minutes to collect all three points for the hosts.
David Martin ensured the score remained at 1-0 in injury-time, saving a Chris Maguire penalty after Rob Hall had been fouled by Darren Potter, who was shown his marching orders for a second yellow card.
Bury 0-0 MK Dons – Sky Bet League One (Tuesday 14th)
MK Dons were left frustrated as they were held to a goal-less draw by Bury at Gigg Lane.
Stuart O’Keefe had the best chance of the night but failed to convert from 12 yards, while Ben Tilney and Dean Bowditch saw efforts well saved as the men from MK1 dominated the opportunities.
MK Dons 0-1 Fleetwood Town – Sky Bet League One (Saturday 18th)
MK Dons couldn’t extend their unbeaten home record to five games as they were edged out by in-form Fleetwood Town.
The Dons looked the more likely to break the deadlock and Harvey Barnes hit the bar but they didn’t pose the same threat after Cian Bolger’s header on the hour mark, which proved the difference in a tight encounter.
MK Dons 2-1 Shrewsbury Town – Sky Bet League One (Saturday 25th)
MK Dons returned to winning ways thanks to a 2-1 success over Shrewsbury Town at Stadium MK.
Kieran Agard’s 12th goal of the season and Paul Downing’s first for the Club had the Dons in control at the break.
Shrewsbury pulled one back in injury-time through Stephen Humphrys but it proved to be a consolation as the men from MK1 deservedly collected the three points.
Bradford City 2-2 MK Dons – Sky Bet League One (Tuesday 28th)
MK Dons earned an impressive point in an entertaining encounter at promotion hopefuls Bradford City, who are unbeaten at home in almost a year.
Robbie Neilson’s side were twice pegged back after Stuart O’Keefe and George Williams had given the men from MK1 1-0 and 2-1 leads.
***
2016/17 recaps
