Paul Tisdale refused to make excuses after MK Dons’ 2-1 defeat to Accrington Stanley, even though he felt his side did have an equaliser incorrectly chalked off for offside in stoppage time.
Rhys Healey thought he had levelled the match in the 91st-minute of Saturday’s clash at the Wham Stadium but a late flag from the linesman denied the striker what would have been a third goal of the campaign.
Had it stood, Healey’s finish would have also salvaged a point for the Dons, after Accrington had fought back to cancel out Kieran Agard’s opener, though manager Tisdale admitted in his post-match press conference that he felt his team didn’t deserve to leave Lancashire with anything but a defeat.
When asked if his side warranted a point, Tisdale said: “Probably not. They were the better side until the last five minutes. They deserved to win it and we should have done a lot better.
“I don’t wish to clutch at excuses. We freshened up with people who didn't play on Tuesday so that’s not an excuse. We just have to play a lot better.
“Whereas last week I was bemused, I'm just disappointed today. It was so far away from what I'd expected and hoped for, and what I explained, directed and encouraged. We need to do a lot better.”
On the crucial offside decision, Tisdale commented: “If we look at the game as a whole, the referee had a lot to do and he largely made good decisions. I cannot argue with a lot of them.
“We didn't deserve the goal at the end but that being said, I think it may have been an error.
“Rhys Healey was given offside because Sam Nombe got a touch, but we don't think there was a touch. The linesman made the decision. He was a long way from it but he put his flag up.
“In the grand scheme of things, though, we didn't deserve anything from the game, and it would have been fortunate to get that goal.”
***
Paul Tisdale and MK Dons now turn their attention to Tuesday's Leasing.com Trophy clash with Stevenage at the Lamex Stadium.
Tickets, which can only be bought on the night at the Lamex Stadium, are priced at £10 adults, £5 under-18s and £3 under-12s.
Supporters can purchase tickets from the South Stand turnstiles, with cash and card payment options available.
