Paul Tisdale is confident his MK Dons side can get over the line and secure a top-three finish.
The Dons were beaten 2-1 by Tranmere Rovers on Saturday and fell out of the automatic promotion places as a result, dropping down to fourth and falling a point adrift of third-placed Mansfield Town.
Their fate, though, remains firmly in their hands with four games left to play and Tisdale has belief in his players to get the job done.
“It didn’t work for us today but that doesn’t mean I’ve lost faith in the players and what we can do,” Tisdale said in his post-match press conference at Prenton Park, following the 2-1 loss to Rovers.
“It’s not over today. Had we won, it wouldn’t have been a success for the season either. We’re disappointed [with the result] but I still don’t underestimate our chances.
“Sorry to the supporters who came to support us. Sorry we couldn’t get the result for them but there are four big games to go and we are going to need them, just as we are going to need our players.
“I’m behind the players and the supporters clearly are too. We’re scrapping around for options a little but we’ve still got enough talent and enough guile to get results. I don’t want it to be seen as we are bleating about injuries because we’ve got enough good players.”
He added: “Four games to go and it’s onto the next for us. Onto Friday, which is a big game. Let’s go.”
MK Dons fell behind at Prenton Park to a stunning volley from David Perkins but restored parity just two minutes later through Kieran Agard’s 100th career goal.
Tranmere, though, edged in front once again midway through the second half and looked good value for their advantage thereafter.
“It was disappointing,” Tisdale said of the performance and the result. “We tried really hard but we didn’t have enough of a threat in us today to really trouble Tranmere. It just didn’t work for us today.
“The first half was even. I was pleased with the first-half display. We played against a team who were very competitive but we stood our ground and competed enough to have a share of the spoils in the first half.
“The second goal for them changed it, which sounds obvious but it did. They sat in a really tight shape after that and we didn’t have enough to make something happen.
“Although we tried our hardest, we didn’t quite create enough of a threat. Nothing seemed to work in the second half. If I was to say which team looked most likely to score again, it was possibly them.”
Although not included in Saturday’s matchday squad, George Williams travelled to Prenton Park and took part in the warm-ups prior to kick-off.
It was a positive step forward for the defender, who has been sidelined since January due to a hamstring injury, but boss Tisdale still doesn’t expect a return to action to be imminent.
"It’s great to see him back training but I don’t think he is anywhere near ready yet,” Tisdale said. “He’s not had a full session yet. Maybe it’s just coming too late but we’ll see.”
***
MK Dons travel to Notts County on Good Friday in search of an important three points in their penultimate away match of the season.
Tickets are priced from £20 adults, £14 seniors/young adults/under-18s, £5 under-16s and £1 under-12s, if bought in advance of matchday from MK Dons. Ticket prices will increase on the day of the game. Under-7s go FREE when accompanied by an adult.
Official Away Travel is running for this fixture, with coach spaces priced at £16 for Season Ticket holders and £17 for all other supporters. Coaches will depart Stadium MK at 11.30am.
To book tickets/travel click HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 0333 200 5343. Tickets will be available to buy from MK Dons until 5pm on Thursday.
