A stunning strike from MJ Williams followed by a close-range finish from Alex Gilbey was enough to see back-to-back Sky Bet League Two victories during the late drama at Stadium MK.
Lewis Bate was presented with his first MK Dons start whilst fellow January signing Stephen Wearne returned from injury to grace the squad for the first time since joining the Club.
Cameron Norman missed out through an injury confirmed after the victory over AFC Wimbledon during the week.
FIRST HALF
The opening minutes of the league tie saw the home side endure a period of defensive action. Gillingham had been quick to create shots, but none that troubled Filip Marschall thus far.
A scare arose in the fourth minute as the high-press from the visitors had pinned the Dons into their final-third. The ball eventually found Mahoney with an abundance of space in the penalty area, but his attempt at goal flew over the crossbar.
MK Dons’ rear-guard was alleviated of the pressure as the team enjoyed a spell of possession themselves. This allowed the hosts to progress further up the field, but the attack soon fell through when Tomlinson’s cross couldn’t locate Harvie at the back post.
Jack Payne was the first to threaten the goal of Jake Turner. A patient build-up rewarded the number 11 with a shooting opportunity that was hit just wide of the target.
22 minutes in, the ball was fired into the front post where Max Dean had got the first touch on it. Following contact from his defender, the forward went down in the box but the referee pointed for a Gillingham goal-kick.
Stephen Clemence’s side saw their best chance of the half as Oliver Hawkins rose above the rest to meet with the ball and direct it towards the near post. Marschal reacted quickly and got down well to meet with and turn away the headed attempt.
The Dons shot-stopper was soon called into action once again as moments later Dom Jefferies tried his luck from range. A strong stop matched that of the strike and the deadlock was yet to be broken half an hour into the fixture.
Six minutes before the half Max Dean forced Jake Turner into action. Payne’s hard work created the chance as he won the ball back and found the feet of Dean, who spotted the ‘keeper off his line before he forced Turner to tip the attempt around his post. The corner was dealt with shortly after.
Gillingham’s forward Oliver Hawkins was unable to continue after being seen to earlier in the match, Macaulay Bonne took his place.
Nothing separated the sides as they entered the half-time break.
SECOND HALF
MK Dons nearly saw the perfect start to the second 45 minutes of action as Dan Kemp tested Turner in between the sticks. The number 27 quickly fired a shot low, but the Gills goalie got down to meet with it.
Lewis Bate sparked an attack as he went through the gears and raced up the field, leaving multiple Gillingham bodies behind him. MK Dons couldn’t find themselves a shooting chance from this, but maintained the ball in their opposition’s half for a brief period before it was cleared.
The travelling team responded with a brief attacking period themselves. This allowed Scott Malone the space for a headed attempt in the box, but the defender couldn’t rise above the ball enough to keep his effort down and on target.
Jack Payne saw the first yellow card of the game after his late challenge on the far side of the field.
Max Dean looked to hit Gills on the break 70 minutes into the match, but was caught up with and defended well against before he could punish on the counter.
Stephen Wearne saw his MK Dons debut as he was brought onto the field 75 minutes into the fixture alongside Ethan Robson. The pair replaced Lewis Bate and Dan Kemp.
MJ Williams had broken the deadlock within the final ten minutes of the game! Joe Tomlinson’s initial cross was cleared as far as MJ on the edge of the area - the midfielder caught the ball on the volley as he struck it past Turner to gain the lead late on! 1-0
MK Dons doubled their advantage late on through Alex Gilbey. Debutant Stephen Wearne worked hard to chase down the ball and fire it across into the feet of Gilbey for a simple finish from close-range. 2-0
Gillingham soon responded with a goal up the other end through Josh Walker. 2-1
During the late drama, MK Dons were able to sustain their lead over Gillingham, which saw the home side secure all three points in their third consecutive Sky Bet League Two clash.
***
MK Dons: Marschall, Lewington (C), O’Hora, Williams, Gilbey, Payne, Tomlinson, Dean (Harrison 83), Harvie, Kemp (Wearne 75), Bate (Robson 75)
Subs: Kelly, Eisa, Smith, Lofthouse
Goals: Williams 80, Gilbey 88
Yellow cards: Payne 68,
Gillingham: Turner, Masterson (Dieng 83), Ehmer (C), Nadesan (Walker 62), Jeffries, Hawkins (Bonne 42), Malone, Coleman (Williams 83), Ogie, Mahoney (Lapslie 62), Hutton
Subs: Morris, Clark,
Goals: Walker 90
Yellow cards:
Referee: Carl Brook
Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 6,723 (1,380)
