MK Dons suffered defeat in their first-ever trip to the SO Legal Stadium following Cole Stockton’s late strike.
MK Dons named a starting line-up without top-goalscorer Max Dean involved as the young forward was unavailable for selection due to an injury he picked up recently.
This saw Ellis Harrison make his first start for the Dons since Barrow’s visit to Stadium MK earlier in the season.
FIRST HALF
MK Dons saw early sightings of the ball. Striker, Ellis Harrison, proved a handful in the first few minutes of the match as he won two fouls in quick succession. One of those free-kicks in the middle of the field was used quickly in an attempt to catch out the hosts, but Kemp made his run in behind early and was flagged offside before he could fire the first shot at goal.
It seemed difficult to control possession as the ball continued to bounce between multiple players battling at either end of the field. Ten minutes into the fixture, both goalkeepers were yet to be tested.
Dom Telford arguably saw the best chance for Barrow thus far within the first half. 14 minutes had passed since the starting whistle and Niall Canavan had picked out the run of Telford on the left of the Dons’ penalty area. However, Marschall was quick off his line to meet with the pass first and eliminate any early danger.
Alex Gilbey drove into the middle of the opposition’s final-third, effectively finding space for the first shot of the game which was dragged along the floor - This saw a fairly comfortable stop for Farman.
Gilbey caused trouble once again but was denied this time by a brave block from Barrow defender George Ray. The strike was turned behind for a corner which was cleared by the hosts, who looked to muster an attack themselves.
On the break, Elliot Newby saw a chance towards the left of the penalty area which was matched by Filip Marschall who palmed away the powerful hit.
The Bluebirds looked to strike the first blow as a dangerous delivery across the box of MK Dons looked to break the deadlock, but the failure to connect with the pass saw a sigh of relief for the visitors. The follow-up on this attack was dragged wide and the score-line remained goalless 15 minutes before the interval.
Niall Canavan saw the first booking of the match after he dragged back midfielder Gilbey, who looked to continue his pursuit towards goal.
Barrow saw an opportunity through a corner-kick which ended with a shot through Kian Spence that failed to hit the target.
MK Dons responded with a corner of their own after Payne’s effort was turned behind by Farman. The team in white cleared the set-piece.
The game remained goalless as referee Tom Reeves signalled for the break.
SECOND HALF
Barrow created the first chance of the second half as Dom Telford found space on the edge of the area, but the forward smashed his effort wide of the target.
Mike Williamson’s Dons paced up the other end of the field through Alex Gilbey and the attack certainly looked promising before Canavan’s perfectly-timed challenge dismantled the threat before Gilbey could fire a shot at goal.
The ball found its way into the back of the Dons’ net, but the goal was ruled out due to an offside position. The travelling team was relieved that the fixture remained goalless with 55 minutes on the stopwatch.
Emre Tezgel made his MK Dons debut at the SO Legal Stadium as he entered the field of play for fellow forward Ellis Harrison, who was forced off early following strong contact from a challenge just minutes before.
Debutant Tezgel worked hard to spark an attack high up the field, which eventually led to a free-kick in a dangerous position for the Dons. Tomlinson struck the deadball but Farman handled his effort as it met the gloves of the Blue Birds’ goalkeeper.
Barrow broke the deadlock late on in the fixture as Cole Stockton saw his first goal for the opposition 77 minutes into the match. The forward played a one-two pass with Ben Whitfield before crashing the back of the net with his powerful shot from the edge of the area. 1-0
The hosts looked to extend their lead and were nearly successful 86 minutes in following a scramble in the penalty area. A stabbed attempt towards goal was denied by Marschall, but the threat of a second still loomed as Barrow continued to attack in the latter stages.
Marschall was called into action once again as the ‘keeper at full-stretch pulled off a much-needed save to give the Dons a fighting chance at a possible point.
Alas, MK Dons couldn’t find the equaliser they searched for in the closing stages of the match as they suffered defeat in their first-ever trip to the SO Legal Stadium.
***
MK Dons: Marschall, Lewington (C), O’Hora, Williams, Gilbey, Harrison (Tezgel 57), Payne, Tomlinson, Harvie (Lofthouse 81), Kemp (Robson 73), Bate
Subs: Kelly, Smith, Ilunga, Tripp
Goals:
Yellow cards: Williams 51, Tomlinson 52,
Barrow: Farnam, Campbell (Gotts 72), Ray, Canavan (C), Spence, Newby, Foley (White 72), Chester, Stephenson, Telford (Whitfield 59), Stockton
Subs: Lillis, Worrall, Proctor
Goals: Stockton 77,
Yellow cards: Canavan 37, Ray 54, Farman 90+5,
Referee: Tom Reeves
Stadium: SO Legal Stadium
Attendance: 3,501 (275)
