Manager Dan Micciche feels he and his MK Dons side ‘let the supporters down’ by not taking advantage of the opportunity to move closer to safety at the weekend.
The Dons were one of only six sides in action on Saturday after supporters, staff and directors worked tirelessly against the adverse weather to ensure the clash with Bristol Rovers could go ahead at Stadium MK.
However, courtesy of Ellis Harrison’s second-half strike, Micciche’s men were unable to make the most of their chance to close the gap on the teams above them and the 1-0 defeat sees them remain 22nd in Sky Bet League One heading into the final 11 games of the campaign.
“We've let them down today,” Micciche said, in reference to the supporters. “There were a lot here clearing the snow – we owed them for getting the game on but we've let them down.
“We were desperate to get the game on because we felt fresh and had three good days of training. We've missed an opportunity to build on our two points last week.
“I feel for the players because they've tried their best but those 20-25 minutes in the first half, we lost control and they got momentum – they ended the first half stronger. In the second half, they've had one shot and it was actually a cross that went in.
“Our decision making let us down – their goal came from us giving the ball away in midfield, and the players know we shouldn't be playing that pass. We've let ourselves down in the final third too and I echo those frustrations from the fans.”
On the situation the Dons find themselves in, Micciche said: “I know we should be here with more points, but we aren’t. I’m sure everyone can recognise a lot of things are better but the thing that matters are the results and we're trying desperately to change that.
“I believe we are very close – the tiny details are either not going for us or we're not capitalising. Two points out of 21 doesn't tell the full story – we've had suspensions, we've had injuries.
“At this moment in the season, we need results quickly so all we can think about now is Bradford.
“We've got 33 points to play for. It might seem like a tall order and we know we have to go on a run but I'm optimistic [that we can turn it around] and I'm giving everything to this job.”
