While disappointed not to walk away with all three points after scoring four goals at home, Robbie Neilson was pleased with the spirit shown by both the MK Dons supporters and his side to fight back and earn a share of the spoils against Oldham Athletic.
Neilson’s team looked to be heading for defeat at Stadium MK with the Latics leading 4-2 with just eight minutes to play.
However, substitute Aidan Nesbitt reduced the arrears with a fine finish on 82 minutes before Ed Upson forced home a dramatic equaliser in the final seconds of regulation time, earning the men from MK1 a result which keeps them within four points of the play-off places.
“Ultimately we are disappointed that we have scored four goals at home and not taken maximum points,” Neilson said after the match.“In the grand scheme of things, though, it's a point we've picked up from a difficult position and that will give us a massive boost.
“I was pleased the spirit of the team and the fight back but also the enthusiasm from the crowd – they were magnificent throughout and they really helped us, giving us that lift when we needed it.”
He continued: “We played some really good football. We were entertaining and we got into some good areas – we scored some really good goals too.
“We just have to do better defensively. It wasn’t a performance where we conceded four goals and were all over the place but we just need to eradicate these moments that we seem to be having at the moment.”
Here’s what else Neilson had to say in his post-match interviews...
Entertaining affair
“Hopefully the fans enjoyed it because I thought it was a really entertaining match, which is what football is about.
“Earlier this season, we were grinding out results but we weren't really entertaining but today, the system we played allowed us to control for long periods and we had a lot of shots. Oldham came here and played some good football as well.”
Conceding goals
“We went through a period where we went seven hours without conceding a goal which was one of the longest runs in the Club’s history and now, all of a sudden, we’ve started losing goals left, right and centre.
“Most of the goals have been down to individual errors so while we are disappointed to lose them, I don't expect to lose them too often. We’ll aim to get back to our old form - we’ll get back to the training ground and make sure we work hard to eradicate these moments.”
Getting used to the system
“We’ve changed the system and with that, it means it will take time for the players to fully understand it.They are picking it up – we just seem to be making wrong decisions in the wrong moments.”
Impact off the bench
“It's so important for the substitutes to come on and make a difference. We’ve got a good group here, a group of guys who want to do well for each other and you could see that with the guys who came on and the lift they gave to the team.
“We’ve got good players who aren’t even getting into the squad at the moment but, like the rest of them, they’ll come in tomorrow and work as hard as they can, pushing to get into that first team. We have to make sure they continue to work hard.”
Ed Upson’s free-kick
“I'm always on their case about free kicks - after training, they all stay out there and take loads of free kicks but on a Saturday they put them wide or over the bar. The hard work has paid off today!”
Osman Sow’s injury
“I'm expecting him to be out for six weeks. He's torn a tendon in his ankle so he's in the boot at the moment.
“We’ll obviously work hard to get him back but it's a chance for the others to step up now. As with any squad, when one guy falls, the others have to take over.”
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Robbie Neilson and his MK Dons side take on Bristol Rovers this Saturday in a Sky Bet League One fixture at the Memorial Stadium.
Tickets for the clash are priced from £16 adults, £12 under-21s, £8 seniors and £8 under-16s when bought in advance of matchday. Supporters have the option to purchase in a standing area or a seated section.
Travel, meanwhile, is available for £21 adults and £20 over-65s and under-18s. Season Ticket holders and members are entitled to a £1 discount on official away travel.
To purchase tickets click here, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 0333 5343. Tickets will remain on sale from the Club until 5pm on Friday.
