2016/17 recap - October - News - Milton Keynes Dons

Despite a strong start to the month, the Dons were unable to stop their descent down the Sky Bet League One table and that led to the departure of manager Karl Robinson after more than six years in charge.

The men from MK1 took just four points from six games, losing twice more on their own patch to extend their winless run at Stadium MK to eight league fixtures.

They did, however, secure their place in the knockout round of the Checkatrade Trophy courtesy of a 1-0 victory away at rivals Peterborough United – one of only two victories in October.

SKY BET LEAGUE ONE TABLE

STATS
Player stats
Top appearance maker: Samir Carruthers, Dean Bowditch (18)

Top goalscorer: Dean Bowditch (6)

October in numbers
11 – Number of goals the Dons conceded in final five games of the month

9 – Darren Potter’s league goal tally for the Club after his strike against Sheffield United

346 – Total amount of games Karl Robinson was in charge of the Dons before his departure at the end of October

3 – Number of goals Kieran Agard scored in October, closing the cap on then-top scorer Dean Bowditch

87 – Minutes on the clock when Bristol Rovers began their dramatic comeback, scoring twice in the closing stages to earn a 3-3 draw at Stadium MK.

GAME-BY-GAME
Oldham Athletic 0-2 MK Dons – Sky Bet League One (Saturday 1st)
MK Dons delivered another strong performance on the road as they ran out comfortable 2-0 winners at Oldham Athletic.

Goals from Ben Reeves and Kieran Agard in either half did the damage as Karl

Robinson’s men enjoyed their fourth away league win of the season, as well as a deserved clean sheet.

Peterborough United 0-1 MK Dons – Checkatrade Trophy Group F (Tuesday 4th)
MK Dons secured their place in the next stage of the Checkatrade Trophy courtesy of a 1-0 win at Peterborough United.

Kieran Agard’s goal five minutes before the break proved to be the difference as Karl Robinson’s men deservedly came out on top at the ABAX Stadium.

The triumph, which would have been more comfortable had second-half chances been taken, moved the men from MK1 on to five points from two outings in Group F after a penalty shoot-out success on day one over Barnet.

MK Dons 0-1 Port Vale – Sky Bet League One (Sunday 9th)
MK Dons were unable to turn possession into points as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Port Vale at Stadium MK.

Karl Robinson’s controlled the game from start to finish and went close on a number of occasions, including hitting the woodwork twice, but they couldn’t make their dominance count in front of goal.

The only goal came in the first half when Alex Jones scored at the second attempt after his penalty had been saved by David Martin.

Scunthorpe United 2-1 MK Dons – Sky Bet League One (Saturday 15th)
League leaders Scunthorpe United came from behind to beat MK Dons 2-1 at Glanford Park.

Kieran Agard scored his fifth goal of the campaign to cap a strong spell of pressure and send the men from MK1 1-0 ahead at the break.

However, the hosts hit back in the second half and won it courtesy of a brace from substitute Paddy Madden.

MK Dons 3-3 Bristol Rovers – Sky Bet League One (Tuesday 18th)
Two late goals denied MK Dons all three points as Bristol Rovers came back to draw 3-3 in an entertaining encounter at Stadium MK.

Goals from Dean Bowditch and GB Williams, his first for the Club, had the Dons 2-0 up and in control at the break.

A superb solo effort from Ben Reeves restored the Dons’ two-goal lead after Matty Taylor had pulled one back, only for Rovers’ No.10 to strike twice and complete his hat-trick in the final five minutes to secure a share of the spoils.

MK Dons 0-3 Southend United – Sky Bet League One (Saturday 22nd)
A disappointing afternoon at Stadium MK saw MK Dons fall to defeat at the hands of Southend United.

Goals from Simon Cox and Anthony Wordsworth had the visitors 2-0 up midway through the first half and, despite going close on a number of occasions, the men from MK1 were unable to overturn the deficit. Wordsworth added a third in injury-time from a free-kick.

Sheffield United 2-1 MK Dons – Sky Bet League One (Saturday 29th)
MK Dons were edged out 2-1 in a tight encounter with promotion favourites Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Darren Potter cancelled out Stefan Scougall’s sixth-minute strike with a smart finish in the opening minutes of the second half, but Billy Sharp won it for the fourth-placed Blades just after the hour mark.