Jordan Houghton insists MK Dons remain grounded despite their recent climb to the top of the Sky Bet League Two table.
The midfielder scored the first of the Dons’ two goals in their 2-0 victory over Carlisle United last weekend - a result which saw Paul Tisdale’s men maintain their place at the summit.
While pleased with the form and the current standing, Houghton was keen to state that the team are not getting carried away, knowing full well there is still a long way to go this season.
“We’re not talking about promotion,” Houghton said after last Saturday’s win at Stadium MK. “Tis says the same thing every week - it’s about the next game and a chance to get another three points.
“Promotion is obviously the aim but there is still such a long way to go. Butts [Danny Butterfield] said to us after the game - we don’t celebrate until May.”
He added: “We just need to keep doing the right things"
Houghton opened the scoring against the Cumbrians with his second goal this term - a low, long-range effort which found its way past the goalkeeper and into the net via the post.
It’s the first time since the 23-year-old's debut campaign that he has found the net on more than one occasion in a season and it came while playing in an unorthodox centre-back position.
“I’ve averaged one goal a season during my career so it’s nice to get my second of this season!” he said.
“I thought I shanked it a little bit. It took so many bobbles that the keeper must have misread it. I’ll take it, though!
“[Playing in defence] is a different aspect of my game which I’m happy to show. We’ve got a few injuries and Tis chose me to drop into the three.
"I don’t think it makes too much of a difference to my game on the ball but I have to be switched on because the ball is coming back quickly.
“Playing at the back, I had to really concentrate as they were looking to get it forwards as quickly as possible. We kept the ball so well, which helped."
More importantly for Houghton, though, was the three points. He said: “We dug in and played some nice football.
It was a little frustrating in the first half but a lot of games have been like that here this season. Tis always tells us to make sure we stay in the game by the 60th minute and then that’s when the goals will likely arrive.
“We probed, passed the ball really nicely and we got the win.. Credit to all the boys for that.”
***
Next up for Houghton and MK Dons is this Saturday's Sky Bet League Two clash with Newport County at Rodney Parade.
Tickets are priced at £19 adults, £15 seniors, £13 young adults/students, £7 under-16s and £5 under-12s while under-6s go FREE. Newport County also offer a Family Ticket for four people at a price of £42.
Coach travel is available to book, with spaces priced at £20 Season Ticket holders and £21 all other supporters. Coaches will depart Stadium MK at 10am.
To book tickets/travel click HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 0333 200 5343. Tickets and travel will remain available to buy from the Club up until 5pm on Friday.
