Following an up-and-down October, MK Dons picked up their form during November and, despite a shock Emirates FA Cup exit, managed to end the month inside the top six in Sky Bet League One...
The Twine and Watters show
MK Dons kicked off the month in style with a dominant 4-1 triumph over Cambridge United at Stadium MK.
Scott Twine put the Dons ahead early on when he slid in to convert from Max Watters’ low cross before the two combined ahead 12 minutes later for the latter to fire home a left-footed strike across goal.
Just past the half-hour, Twine made it 3-0 when he found the net direct from a free-kick before Watters sealed a convincing success in the second half when he lashed home on the bounce from Twine’s pass. Sam Smith scored a late consolation for the U’s.
FA Cup shock at Stevenage
After an eventful 2-2 draw at Stadium MK, MK Dons were forced to visit the Lamex Stadium to decide their Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper tie.
It appeared to be going their way when Harry Darling found the net from Josh McEachran’s corner but a controversial red card, shown to Josh Martin, swung the momentum the way of the home side, who levelled the scores on the hour.
The Dons battled hard and took the tie to extra-time but, with just a minute left until a shoot-out, Darling conceded a penalty for which he was also dismissed and Stevenage striker Luke Norris converted to secure a shock win for the Hertfordshire outfit.
Watters the star at Stadium MK
Max Watters maintained his excellent run of form in front of net, scoring the decisive goal in MK Dons’ 1-0 win over Burton Albion at Stadium MK – their third straight league success.
Watters was causing havoc all afternoon and eventually broke through the Brewers backline on 65 minutes before cooly converting past the goalkeeper with a net outside-of-the-foot finish.
Dons undone by late Owls comeback despite Scott’s stunner
MK Dons looked to be on course for a famous win at Hillsborough Stadium until two late goals from Sheffield Wednesday saw them claim victory.
After a tight first half, Scott Twine put the Dons ahead on 47 minutes with an excellent long-range strike – a goal which was later nominated for the Club’s Goal of the Season award.
Liam Manning’s men looked to have done enough but two goals in the final seven minutes from Lee Gregory and Josh Windass – the latter coming deep in stoppage time – condemned them to a first defeat in four.
Dons bounce back at Morecambe Bay
MK Dons produced the perfect response to their defeat in South Yorkshire, thrashing Morecambe 4-0 for their biggest win of the season thus far.
Mo Eisa got the scoring started with a cool finish on 23 minutes before Matt O’Riley found the same part of the net from the same part of the penalty area in the closing stages of the first half.
Morecambe did fightback early in the second half but Harry Darling put an end to any hopes of a hosts comeback when he headed in from Scott Twine’s corner. O’Riley then put the gloss on the scoreline courtesy of a sumptuous curling finish with eight minutes to play.
Dons progress on penalties in Papa John’s Trophy
The month of November ended in the capital for MK Dons, who visited Leyton Orient looking to secure a place in the Third Round of the competition.
Nothing could separate the two sides after 90 minutes of action, even despite Troy Parrott being dismissed late on – a dismissal which set up a nervy finish.
The Dons then held their nerve in the shoot-out, with Mo Eisa, Hiram Boateng, Josh Martin, Harry Darling and Aden Baldwin all converting after Ruel Sotirou missed his opening spot-kick.
