The first month under new manager Robbie Neilson saw the Dons finally end their winless league run at Stadium MK and in some style too, collecting two successes against rivals AFC Wimbledon and nearby outfit Swindon Town.
They also defeated Karl Robinson’s Charlton Athletic in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup, beating the Addicks 3-1 in a replay at Stadium MK.
That’s not to say it was all plain-sailing, however, with defeats to Yeovil Town in the Checkatrade Trophy as well as Sky Bet League One losses against Gillingham and Charlton some particularly frustrating moments during the festive period.
SKY BET LEAGUE ONE
PLAYER STATS
Top appearance maker: Dean Bowditch, Samir Carruthers, Ed Upson (28)
Top goalscorer: Dean Bowditch (9)
DECEMBER BY NUMBERS
8 – Number of goals the Dons scored during the month, their highest total
63 – Minutes on the clock when Dean Bowditch netted the decisive goal against AFC Wimbledon.
3 – Times the Dons and Charlton Athletic faced each other in the space of three weeks
26 – Minutes it took Kieran Agard to bag his second brace for the Dons in the 3-2 win over Swindon Town.
100 – Nicky Maynard’s career goal total after his winner against the Robins.
GAME-BY-GAME
Charlton Athletic 0-0 MK Dons – Emirates FA Cup Round 2 (Saturday 3rd)
MK Dons and Charlton Athletic will replay their Emirates FA Cup Second Round tie after a stalemate at The Valley.
The men from MK1 controlled the encounter for large periods but were unable to turn their dominance into a success, as the Club’s new manager Robbie Neilson and assistant Stevie Crawford watched on from the stands.
Yeovil Town 4-1 MK Dons – Checkatrade Trophy Round 2 (Tuesday 6th)
Ten-man MK Dons exited the Checkatrade Trophy following a 4-1 defeat at Yeovil Town, in which the hosts scored two penalties.
An own goal had Robbie Neilson’s side deservedly ahead at the break, but the Glovers hit back with two converted spot-kicks and then made the most of their man advantage after Samir Carruthers had seen red for two yellow cards.
MK Dons 1-0 AFC Wimbledon – Sky Bet League One (Saturday 10th)
MK Dons delivered a superb display to earn a win in Robbie Neilson’s first home league match – against none other than AFC Wimbledon.
Dean Bowditch’s penalty proved to be the difference in a game the Dons dominated – one which also saw the men from MK1 record their first league win at Stadium MK this season.
MK Dons 3-1 (AET) Charlton Athletic – Emirates FA Cup Round 2 replay (Tuesday 13th)
Two goals in extra-time saw MK Dons progress to the Emirates FA Cup Third Round for the fifth time in six years.
A superb strike from Ben Reeves was followed by a clinical Dean Bowditch finish after the replay had ended 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes, just like it did at The Valley 10 days ago.
Former Don Adam Chicksen had initially cancelled out Daniel Powell’s early opener, but Robbie Neilson’s men took control in extra-time to book a trip to Sky Bet Championship high-fliers Brighton & Hove Albion.
Gillingham 1-0 MK Dons – Sky Bet League One (Saturday 17th)
MK Dons were unable to make it three wins in a week as they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat at Gillingham.
In an evenly-contested affair, the men from MK1 were given an opportunity to go in at the break ahead but Dean Bowditch saw his penalty saved.
Then, with just over 15 minutes remaining, Cody McDonald directed a header into the far corner to earn the hosts the three points.
MK Dons 0-1 Charlton Athletic – Sky Bet League One (Monday 26th)
MK Dons couldn’t make it three successive victories at Stadium MK as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Charlton Athletic.
Ademola Lookman’s fine finish not long before the break proved the difference in a game which the men from MK1 perhaps deserved more, especially having dominated possession and chances in the first half.
MK Dons 3-2 Swindon Town – Sky Bet League One (Friday 30th)
Nicky Maynard scored the decisive goal – and his 100th of his career - as MK Dons deservedly edged a five-goal thriller under the lights at Stadium MK.
Maynard made it 3-1 with a fine finish after Kieran Agard’s brace had initially given the Dons a 2-0 lead before the Robins pulled goals back at 2-0 and 3-1.
NEWS
Baldock joins elite club – http://www.mkdons.com/news/article/2016-17/baldock-joins-elite-club-3444136.aspx
Neilson named MK Dons manager - http://www.mkdons.com/news/article/2016-17/neilson-named-mk-dons-manager-mk-dons-mk-dons-manager-robbie-neilson-stevie-crawford-3448498.aspx
MacFarlane added to backroom staff - http://www.mkdons.com/news/article/2016-17/macfarlane-added-to-backroom-staff-3464906.aspx
Barker departs Stadium MK - http://www.mkdons.com/news/article/2016-17/barker-departs-stadium-mk-mk-dons-richie-barker-3479600.aspx
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