Defensive errors cost Dons

In a game that saw the majority of the team outplay Rovers, it was poor finishing and defensive blunders that cost the Dons dearly today, after we lost 3-2 to Doncaster Rovers.

Danny Wilson was forced to make two changes from our 2-2 draw with Huddersfield, Clive Platt and Wade Small were unavailable after knocks picked up earlier in the week. Aaron Wilbraham was in for Platt up front, and Gareth Edds was in for Small on the right.

The Dons started far more strongly than Doncaster showing some great passing football, and were obviously still full of confidence from our comeback earlier in the week. And we nearly took the lead with our the first play of the game, a through-ball from Dean Lewington nearly had Izale McLeod in on goal Jan Budtz for Rovers was first to the ball to clear the danger. Edds then came close and it was a clearing header from Rover’s Mcindoe that took the ball out of the path of Edds who was running in at goal at the back post.

But it was Rovers that scored against the run of play when Fenton broke scored from the first corner of the match on 13 minutes.

Baker failed to connect with a dangerous corner kick by Sean Thornton and unmarked Fenton headed the ball before Baker could connect into his gaping net.

The goal was completely against the run of play, and it wasn’t soon after that the Dons were threatening again, when Izale had more of a chance to bring us level but took far too many touches and the chance disappeared.

And then just 11 minutes later, Rovers got another goal from a Thornton corner. The Dons defense looked to be dozing and just didn’t deal with a ball that should have been cleared and Roberts, fired in the ball past Baker from close range.

Izale McLeod should have pulled a goal back for the Dons in the 37th minute.

McLeod then had a real chance to reduce the deficit on 37 minutes after he robbed the ball off Steve Foster and ran clear through on goal, but his failure to indecisiveness cost him and he aloud keeper Jan Budtz to spread himself well and make the save.

Gary Smith also came close shortly after when he curled a 30-yard free-kick just past the post after Ricky Ravenhill was booked for bringing down Stephen Quinn.

Half Time: MK Dons 0 – Doncaster Rovers 2

The Dons started the second half even stronger and looked determined to get a goal back. Wilbraham’s header from Smith’s corner was cleared off the line by two minutes after the re-start.

And then Izale had a good shot from the edge of the box palmed out of the top corner by Rover’s keeper Budtz.

McLeod almost was in again after a long rang effort from Gary Smith was deflected and raced past the goal as Izale was sliding in on the 71st minute as the Dons continued to press, before Smith pulled a goal back for the hosts two minutes later.

It was Nicky Rizzo who had come on to a enormous cheer from the home crowed played a quick corner to Smith, whose chip into the box found it’s way straight into the net as keeper Budtz was put off by Wilbraham’s attempted header.

Kamara, who had come on for Gareth Edds earlier, was then making his presence felt and came very close after he was put through by Wilbraham on 79 minutes, but the keeper was equal to the shot.

And then, just after 85 minutes, Doncaster got their 3rd. A desperate backpass from Craig Morgan gave Baker no chance, and Paul Heffernan guided the ball past the Dons keeper. Again, against the run of play.

The game looked all but over, but the Dons continued to battle for another goal, and another back poor back pass, but at the other end just a minute later, saw Wilbraham move in quickly to force the ball into the away teams goal.

A good shout for a penalty, (the third shout in fact), as McLeod was bundled over in the box on 89 minutes but the appeals were waved away by referee D’Urso

Then McLeod struck a volley which was blocked after a good cross from Mitchell in injury-time.

Despite all he pressure, all the chances and the majority of possession, the Dons could not get the points they deserved. It was the Dons that beat themselves at the end of the day, and not an outstanding performance from Doncaster.

Final score MK Dons 2 – Doncaster Rovers 3