Return of the Rovers in Tranmere's first home win since March
MK Dons dismal October came to a climax at struggling Tranmere Rovers. The Dons went into this one off the back of 4 defeats from 5 league games so far this month and looking for just their second win on the road this term.
As injury problems mounted Karl Robinson had to completely revamp his squad from last weekend's solitary October win against Rotherham. Loanee Jordan Spence made his debut alongside the returning Shaun Williams as Luke Chadwick was also included in the starting 11. Jon Otsemobor continued to keep Lee Hodson out the team in the right-back battle. Ronnie Moore went with experienced goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams, Abdulai Bell-Baggie and former Dons striker Ryan Lowe in his matchday starters. Lowe was joint top-scorer for the visitors last season and captain the hosts on Saturday as his name was sung before kick off in a warm reception from the 180 travelling supporters.
The Merseyside club had not won at Prenton Park since March but started the better. Former Dons players have come back to haunt them this season as Sam Baldock netted a brace at Stadium:MK in August and former loanee David Amoo combined with Lewis Guy for the winner just 4 days ago in Carlisle's 1-0 win in MK1 and today was to be no different. Lowe, who scored 12 times in 51 games for the Stadium:MK side, pounced on a wayward defensive header by Williams and smartly lobbed 'keeper Ian McLoughlin from outside the box to the striker's delight as he wheeled away in celebration, much to the visiting supporters dismay and anger.
Tranmere continued to pile on the early pressure and it took quarter of an hour for MK to have a notable shot. Dean Lewington fired a rasping shot towards the goal at the Kop end and brought a smart save from Fon Williams. The visitors continued to get into their slick passing stride and another chance wasn't far away. Otsemobor's determined run and cross was perfectly directed towards former Manchester United player Chadwick but he could only head comfortably into the arms of Fon Williams.
It hadn't been a classic. But going into half time the Dons didn't want to be behind. Thanks to Daniel Powell, they weren't going to be. The wingers surge from half way frightening the Tranmere defenders and Powell's 20 yard shot nestled into the bottom corner. Powell off the mark for the season, Dons off the mark for the day.
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| Dons celebrate Powell's equaliser |
A timely goal for the visitors took them through to half time all square at 1-1.
Not for the first time this season the Dons came out fired up for the second half and inside 3 minutes of the restart they hit the front through a second brilliant individual goal. This time from fellow winger Jason Banton. The Crystal Palace loanee bamboozled Max Power twisting and turning multiple times before curling his right footed shot into the far corner at the Cowshed end where the Dons fans were housed.
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| Banton's solo effort |
From then on in it was virtually all Tranmere. Firstly a Jim McNulty volley zipped just over the crossbar. Jordan Spence was solid in his first hour in a Dons shirt but his debut was about to come crashing down to earth. A free kick from half way inside the MK Dons half was seemingly going wide of goal and nowhere near anybody in the packed penalty box. However, Ash Taylor went sprawling to the Prenton Park turf and referee Steve Rushton deemed it was because of a Spence tug on the defender's shirt. Lowe stepped up and confidently dispatched his spot kick past McLoughlin, who went the right way, to level it up at 2-2.
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| Former Don scores again |
The quiet Patrick Bamford was next to be involved. Spence's accurate long ball was brought down terrifically by the striker but the league's top scorer could only poke agonisingly wide of Fon Williams' right hand upright from 7 yards.
The visitors had been on the right end of a late winner in a 3-2 victory the previous Saturday but it was to be the wrong end this week. Chris Atkinson's deep cross found Jake Kirby who unselfishly laid the ball back for James Rowe who slotted the ball home from 12 yards to give Tranmere their first home win of the season.
With that the Dons were condemned to their 5th October defeat and will be thankful to see the back of the month. Karl Robinson will feel his side should have deserved at least a point if not more however that is football. The Stadium:MK side slip to 11th and host Walsall next weekend.
Tranmere Rovers:
1. Owain Fon Williams 2. Danny Holmes (18. Steve Jennings) 4. Ash Taylor 6. Tom Hateley (12. James Rowe) 9. Ryan Lowe 11. Abdulai Bell-Baggie (3. Evan Horwood) 14. Chris Atkinson 15. Jake Kirby 17. Max Power 20. Jim McNulty 23. Liam Ridehaigh
Subs not used: 25. Bradley Watkins 16. Cole Stockton 19. Akpo Sodje 22. Jason Koumas
Goals: Lowe 7' 66' (pen) Rowe 84'
Booked: Horwood
MK Dons:
16. Ian McLoughlin 2. Jon Otsemobor 3. Dean Lewington 6. Shaun Williams 8. Darren Potter 10. Luke Chadwick (13. Izale McLeod) 12. Ben Reeves (22. Samir Carruthers) 15. Patrick Bamford 17. Daniel Powell 21. Jason Banton 23. Jordan Spence
Subs not used: 50. Charlie Burns 4. Tom Flanagan 5. Lee Hodson 11. Alan Smith 18. George Baldock
Goals: Powell 39' Banton 49'
Booked: Spence
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