Alex Gilbey’s early opener accompanied by Ellis Harrison’s late winner in the final moments of the match secures all three points at Prenton park.
Dan Kemp returned straight into the starting XI following his recall to the Club just a few weeks prior to the Sky Bet League Two clash against Tranmere Rovers.
Michael Kelly made his first league appearances for the Dons since signing terms at Stadium MK in July last year.
Ethan Robson sustained an unfortunate injury during the preparations ahead of the match, this resulted in Kyran Lofthouse making his full Dons debut just days after signing for the Club.
FIRST HALF
Debutant Kyran Lofthouse made an important defensive intervention early on as he raced back to put behind a pass for a Tranmere corner. Michael Kelly then commanded his box as he rushed out to claim the ball in from the corner flag.
MK Dons made an advance up the field which saw Tomlinson break down the left, the number 14 searched for Kemp on his cutback but the pass was interrupted before it reached its target.
Not long after Jack Payne was awarded with a free-kick, which at first was played short before Kemp fired in a delivery toward the back post. Warren O’Hora met with the chance, but not well enough to divert it home.
Mike Williamson’s Dons led within the first ten minutes of the match! Alex Gilbey’s superb strike got the travelling team off to a flying start after he cut inside and beat McGee with a powerful hit from a long way out. 0-1
Tranmere Rovers had found their equaliser shortly after the deadlock had been broken through a harsh deflection that left Kelly no chance of saving the initial shot from Kieron Morris. 1-1
Both teams continued their pursuit as they searched for opportunities to break one another’s defence down, MK Dons were on the front foot of the attacks during the first 30 minutes, but Tranmere posed a threat through every forward break they created.
Joe Tomlinson’s effort from the edge of the area was matched by McGee five minutes before Alex Gilbey was denied his double whilst the defence of the hosts reacted sharply to the danger.
The goalscorer and Max Dean found themselves in a 2-on-2 break against the back-line of Tranmere Rovers. The latter had waited patiently before threading the ball through to Gilbey, but McGee had read this move and rushed out to save the effort from the number eight.
An incredible pass crafted from MJ Williams saw the ball placed between the lines of Tranmere’s back four so that Kemp could be successful with his run behind the defence. However, Luke McGee comes to the rescue as he reads this move well to rush out and meet with the ball as the Dons number 27 bared down on it.
A well-worked move near the end of the half almost saw the visitors restore their lead, but once again, Tomlinson’s ball intended for Kemp was disrupted by the defence of the home side.
SECOND HALF
Much like the first 45 minutes, MK Dons looked to deliver a blow early on. This seemed possible whilst Kyran Lofthouse breached the penalty area of Tranmere Rovers but as the number 29 searched for Kemp the opposition sprung into defensive action and cleared the ball behind.
Tranmere then created an attack for themselves as they continued to hit the Dons on the counter. At each time of asking during the first 20 minutes of the second half, the away team rose to the challenge. But the danger of Tranmere’s counter-attacking plan loomed throughout the game.
Williamson’s Dons came close to regaining the advantage a few times themselves, but were yet to find the finishing touch on their second half attempts against McGee in between the sticks.
66 Minutes in, Kyran Lofthouse saw a glimpse of a chance at securing a goal on his debut, the wing-back cut inside the penalty area but his shot that followed was struck narrowly wide of the near post.
Jonathan Leko and Ellis Harrison made their way onto the field as the first changes for the Dons with under 20 minutes to play.
15 minutes remained as MK Dons continued their advances on the stubborn defence of Tranmere Rovers. The home side seemed comfortable to soak up the pressure thrown at them as the back four of Mike Williamson’s team edged higher and higher up the field whilst in possession.
Just over five minutes left to play, Payne’s high work-rate at the latter stage of the fixture granted him the ball which saw the midfielder break with the support of Ellis Harrison. Payne played Harrison, but the striker dragged his shot wide of the mark.
Most of the action continued in Tranmere’s half, but the minutes were running out as the Dons searched to regain their advantage earned in the first ten minutes of the match.
The hosts mustered a late chance at goal, but the attempt continued to rise over the goalmouth.
Unbelievably, MK Dons’ relentless efforts paid off in the final action of the game! The final corner of the match eventually found an unmarked Ellis Harrison, who fired home from close-range. An incredible ending right at the death to achieve all three points at Prenton Park!
***
MK Dons: Kelly, Norman, Lewington ©, O’Hora, Williams, Gilbey, Payne, Tomlinson, Dean (Harrison 72), Kemp, Lofthouse (Leko 72)
Subs: MacGillivray, Eisa, Smith, Grant, Lofthouse
Goals: Gilbey 9, Harrison 90+5
Yellow cards:
Tranmere Rovers: McGee, Walker (Hawkes 79), Davies (C), Turnbull, Morris (McAlear 68), Hendry, Jolley (Lewis 68), Jennings, Pike (Norris 90+3), Apter, Wood (Yarney 90+3)
Subs: Murphy, Dennis
Goals: Morris 12,
Yellow cards: Apter 45+1,
Referee: Darren Drysdale
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 6,861 (344)
