Liam Manning was full of frustration after his side’s 1-1 draw with Burton Albion at Stadium MK.
The Dons fell behind at Stadium MK but fought back to avoid a third successive Sky Bet League One, with Bradley Johnson coming off the bench to head home a late equaliser.
Manning, though, was unsatisfied post-match, both with his team’s performance and decisions that went against his side through the 90 minutes.
“Frustrated is how I'm feeling,” Manning told the media. “I'll shoulder the responsibility for the team(‘s performance). It was on us in terms of the difference in the two halves.
“They didn't cause us too many problems in the first half, but the urgency and tempo wasn't there from us. I don't think there was a whole lot in it and we got into some good areas but there weren't many clear-cut chances, and we made some poor decisions.
“We turned up second half. There was more urgency and tempo in the second-half, with and without the ball. We got into some really good areas but we just didn't have enough quality in that final bit.
“I'm disappointed and frustrated not to win, but we showed a response, whereas a Barnsley we didn't show that. We showed the response, fight, urgency and intent and we'll need that in order to turn games into wins.
“That's the challenge now Let's turn up and start games like that and we'll be in a much better position. We believe in (the players) and they have shown they can control games, but we have to start games like we finished that one - when we do, we'll be a strong side.”
Manning continued: “There were also so many decisions out of our control, which is really frustrating.
“We were the victims of some poor refereeing again - whether it's the (lack of) time added on or the blatant red card (for Burton Albion). It’s also the eighth penalty given against us.
“(The EFL) spoke to us in the summer about stamping out (time wasting) but here we are still talking about it. The goalkeeper didn’t get booked until the 90th minute when he was doing it since the 30th.
“I also don't know how it's not a red card. If it's not dangerous and reckless enough, volleying someone in the air when they're running away from you, but to then concede another foul a minute later, but not get a yellow - I'm left scratching my head.”
Saturday’s point saw the Dons drop to 22nd in the Sky Bet League One but it did draw them closer to Cambridge United, in 20th, above the bottom four.
“I know where we are but I don't concentrate on it,” Manning said when asked about the league position his side find themselves in. “We have to turn up next week against Fleetwood, on the front foot - that's where my energy is.”
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Liam Manning and MK Dons are back in Stadium MK action on Saturday when they face Fleetwood Town in another important Sky Bet League One clash.
Tickets are priced from £24 adults, £18 over-65s, £12 under-25s and £6 under-18s while under-12s and under-7s tickets are priced from £3. Upgrades are available to East Centre and Club Red. Ticket prices will increase by £2 on the day of the game.
To book tickets CLICK HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 01908 622933. Tickets will be available to buy right up until kick-off from the Box Office.
