MK Dons will be looking to record back-to-back wins for the first time under Dan Micciche when they entertain Bury at Stadium MK this afternoon.
After sitting through an agonising six minutes of injury-time on Tuesday night, it's safe to say there was a huge sigh of relief when the final whistle went eventually blew.
The Dons currently sit 22nd in the Sky Bet League One table, four points adrift of safety but they will view this upcoming run of fixtures as an ideal chance to close that gap. Today's game is the second of three home matches, the first ended in victory - something Micciche will be hoping to replicate this afternoon.
Kick-off is at 3.00pm.
High on expectation at the start of the season after having survived relegation under Lee Clark the previous term, and having then undertaken an extensive squad rebuilding programme last summer, it's been a season of low return for Bury so far this campaign, last Tuesday evening's 1-0 home loss to Peterborough leaving the Shakers bottom of the table heading into this afternoon's game.
They sit nine points adrift of safety with only ten games now remaining to be played. Very active in the free agent market last summer, bringing in the likes of proven scorer Jermaine Beckford, former Scottish international Chris Maguire, experienced midfielder Stephen Dawson and former Don
Jay O'Shea to name but four of the dozen or so who entered the Gigg Lane doors over the summer.
A a run of four straight losses earlier in the season saw the departure of Clark at the end of October, former Dons striker Ryan Lowe stepped as joint-caretaker/manager role for half a dozen games before Chris Lucketti was given the managerial position in late November.
The fortunes didn't change at Bury as Lucketti lost eight, a run that would see him lose his job as the Shakers fell 12 points away from safety. Lowe took control once again until the end of the season with his task to help Bury avoid relegation come the end of the season.
MK Dons secured a vital three points in the bid for Sky Bet League One survival courtesy of a 3-2 success over Rotherham United at Stadium MK.
The Dons fell behind early on but bounced back to lead at the break courtesy of goals from Robbie Muirhead and Peter Pawlett.
Muirhead doubled his and the team's advantage in the second half and despite Jon Taylor's late strike setting up a nervy finish, Dan Micciche's men were able to hold on to seal a much-needed victory - one which moves them to within four points of safety.
Bury were beaten by a late goal in additional time after Jack Marriott pounced on the ball in the final third of the field and remained composed to chip the ball into the back of the net.
The Dons look set to be without Josh Tymon, who has picked up a groin injury. He joins Marcus Tavernier on the sidelines - the on-loan midfielder continues to be assessed by his parent club Middlesbrough.
On a positive note, Ethan Ebanks-Landell returned to training on Thursday after a short injury lay-off while Osman Sow should be available for selection as his withdrawal at half-time on Tuesday was purely precautionary.
Scott Golbourne (hip), Joe Walsh (knee) and Alex Gilbey (knee) are still out of action.
Bury may bring Nathan Cameron back into the fold after the defender was rested for the midweek game with Peterborough.
Zeli Ismail remains a doubt for Bury with a groin injury he picked up in the 2-2 draw with Oldham last weekend.
Gavin Ward will take charge of today's match at Stadium MK.
In 37 games this season, Ward has produced 99 yellow cards and two red.
The Surrey official refereed the Dons’ Checkatrade Trophy defeat against Chelsea Under-21s, while he has officiated Bury once this season, he oversaw their 1-0 defeat to Southend.
Ward's assistant referees on Saturday are Garry Maskell and Nicholas Cooper while the fourth official is John Farries.
Dons wins: 6
Dons wins at Stadium MK: 2
Last Dons win: 2-0, 30 Sep 2017 (Gigg Lane)
Biggest Dons win: 5-1, 2 Feb 2008 (Gigg Lane)
Draws: 3
Draws at Stadium MK: 1
Last draw: 0-0, 14 Feb 2017 (Gigg Lane)
Bury wins: 2
Bury wins at Stadium MK: 1
Last Bury win: 3-1, 27 Sep 2016 (Stadium MK)
Biggest Bury win: 3-1, 27 Sep 2016 (Stadium MK)
Result
Dons win: 6/4
Draw: 12/5
Bury win: 9/5
First goalscorer
Chuks Aneke: 5/1
Kieran Agard: 11/2
Ike Ugbo: 6/1
Robbie Muirhead: 15/2
Scorecast
Robbie Muirhead to score first and MK Dons to win 2-1 – 45/1
Sky Bet tip
Over 4.5 goals, 15+ match corners and 70+ match booking points – 350/1
Supporters living outside the UK can watch the match LIVE with an iFollow MK Dons Season/Monthly Pass or by purchasing a Match Pass – click HERE for more information!
iFollow MK Dons will have also live commentary of the game for UK-based fans – click HERE to sign up for as little as £4.49 for a month.
Supporters can also stay in touch with the Dons via mkdons.com’s Match Centre, which can be accessed by visiting the home page from 1pm.
There will also be full coverage on the Club’s social media channels – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat!
A full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com straight after the final whistle.
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Tickets for today's clash with Bury are priced at just £12 adults and £1 under-18s while a host of activity will be taking place outside Stadium MK prior to the 3pm kick-off
To purchase tickets for Family Dons Day click HERE, visit the Box Office/centre:mk kiosk or call 0333 200 5343. Tickets for this fixture are available to buy right up until kick-off.
