MK Dons suffered defeat at Stadium MK after Morecambe’s second-half double overturned Max Dean’s opener.
A day after signing for the Club, Filip Marschall earned his Dons debut in between the sticks whilst two other January additions in Kyran Lofthouse and Lewis Bate also made the squad. Daniel Harvie had returned from injury and was selected within the starting line-up.
Ahead of the game, Stadium MK observed a minute’s applause in tribute to all those fans, who have sadly passed away in 2023. May you all rest in peace.
FIRST HALF
MK Dons saw the best-possible start to their first Stadium MK match of 2024! Joe Tomlinson had fired a ball into the penalty area which Morecambe failed to clear - Max Dean then pounced on this opportunity and curled his effort around Archie Mair to open the scoring just moments after kick-off. 1-0
Goalscorer Max Dean was the first player to be shown a yellow card by referee Marc Edwards after he interrupted Morecambe’s free-kick.
Dean continued to look lively in front of goal, which saw the forward attempt to recreate his goal from early on. A curled effort searched for the right netting, but too much power on the strike saw it fly just over the target.
Mair was then forced into making a stop at his near post as the young forward, once again, threatened to increase his goal scoring tally.
Joe Tomlinson was the next player to be shown a yellow card following a high-foot challenge.
MK Dons crafted a move which looked to threaten Morecambe as they retreated with haste. Daniel Harvie started the attack after winning the ball in MK Dons’ final-third. From there, Robson, Dean and Gilbey played it between them before they located Tomlinson on the left wing.
The number 14 looked for Dean in the middle of the box and was successful in his attempt, but the number 18 was denied what would’ve been and incredibly well-worked as Mair made himself big enough to deny the shot.
28 minutes into the Sky Bet League Two tie, the home side were forced into defensive action. A pivotal intervention was made by the defence to clear an attempt off the line following a corner from the Shrimpers.
Near the end of the first-half of action, Morecambe had won a free-kick in the final-third of the hosts down towards the near touch-line. The ball floated into the back post, but a foul in favour of the Dons disrupted the set-piece and awarded the home side with a free-kick of their own.
SECOND HALF
Oppositely, in the second half, it would be Morecambe who would come out the blocks quickly and find an equaliser five minutes after the restart. A corner-kick to the visitors caused a goalmouth scramble, which the Shrimpers benefitted from. 1-1
Mike Williamson’s Dons looked to respond to their second half setback, but their counter-part certainly made it more difficult for the home team, who created more chances during the opening 15 minutes of the first half.
Joe Tomlinson shaped to shoot with a curled effort that was aimed for the bottom right corner of the net. Morcambe captain Farrend Rawson put his body on the line to intervene with the strike before it could cause any more trouble.
Soon after, Kyran Lofthouse had secured a corner-kick for his team, but the ball eventually met the gloves of Mair.
The Shrimpers’ shot-stopper was then needed to prevent Joe Tomlinson’s effort to regain the lead, Mair met with and smothered the quick-fire attempt.
MK Dons held the ball well within their set-up, but still searched for openings to create more shooting opportunities.
On the break, the travelling team posed a threat, but Max Dean raced back to win the ball and then be awarded with a foul in his half.
Two changes were made by the Dons just after the 70-minute mark. Lewis Bate saw his MK Dons debut as he replaced Ethan Robson whilst Ellis Harrison took to the field for Alex Gilbey.
Within the final few minutes the Stadium MK side had injected a moment of fear into Morecambe as they broke with pace. The ball found its way to Max Dean, who was located near the penalty spot, but the opposition got bodies on the line to turn away his hit at goal.
Seven minutes of additional time were to be played.
During injury time, Charlie Brown had gained the advantage for the visitors for the first time during the game. Whilst bodies were committed forward, Brown found himself in a position to free himself from any defenders and find the bottom corner with his attempt at goal. 1-2
***
MK Dons: Marschall, O’Hora, Williams, Gilbey © (Harrison 76), Payne, Tomlinson, Robson (Bate 74), Dean, Harvie (Lewington 81), Kemp, Lofthouse (Leko 83)
Subs: Kelly, Norman, Lewington, Leko, Smith
Goals: Dean 1
Yellow cards: Dean 9, Tomlinson 20,
Morecambe: Mair, Bedeau, Rawson, Songo’o, Adams (Edwards 70), Garner (Brown 70), Mayor, Senior (Harrack 76), Slew (Barker 64), Stokes, Taylor
Subs: Smith, Tutonda, Threlkeld
Goals: Bedeau 50, Brown 90+1
Yellow cards: Bedeau 35, Stokes 90+7
Referee: Marc Edwards
Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 6,099 (193)
