Dons downed by 9 man Posh
Mid September saw MK Dons make the short trip to London Road for the first the first time in 30 months however none of the 8149 supporters that entered London Road could predict what they were about to see...
The Dons made one change from the home victory over lowly Notts County as Samir Carruthers replaced Jason Banton. Darren Ferguson included Lee Tomlin, Tommy Rowe, Danny Swanson, Tyrone Barnett and top scorer Britt Assombalonga in a strong Posh lineup and a good match looked on the cards.
It took just 5 lively minutes for the game to be turned on its head. Dons' top scorer Patrick Bamford dispossessed by Nathaniel Knight-Percival and the pair entered a foot race for the loose ball. The Posh defender's flailing arm caught the defenseless Bamford clean in the face and this saw Darren Drysdale reduce Peterborough to 10 men for the next 85 minutes.
Straight away this put Robinson's men on the front foot, two solid banks of four from Peterborough was hard to break down for the Dons but Luke Chadwick had the perfect opportunity to break the deadlock. The ball sat up nicely for him just 12 yards out but the ex-Manchester United midfielder could only send the ball way over Bobby Olejnik's goal and onto the the roof of the London Road terrace.
It was coming increasingly obvious that the home sides' best chance of creating an opportunity was through a counter attack, which they duly did. Former MK Dons transfer target Danny Swanson broke through the visitors rearguard and was bundled over by a clumsy challenge from Shaun Williams.
Lee Tomlin stepped up and calmly slotted the ball straight down the middle sending London Road into raptures. 1 man down but 1 goal up.
MK Dons were sloppy throughout the first half and couldn't seem to string their passes together as Peterborough sat back and let the visitors come onto them. Then as was expected the Dons finally got their chance. Williams in-swinging corner finding right-back Jon Otsemobor but the defender could only fire his header past Olejnik's left hand post.
Moments later the Posh stopper was called upon to make his first save of the game, Chadwick's cushioned header finding the on-loan Bamford however the striker could only direct his point plank header straight at Olejnik who made a smart save, the 'keeper was going to prove to be a thorn in the Stadium:MK side throughout.
But for the second time the visitors were going to be made to pay. A rare Antony Kay error from Olejnik's kick saw Assombalonga baring down on goal. His cool finish through the legs of David Martin saw prolific Posh score their second goal with their first shot from open play on 34 minutes.
10 minutes before the break saw MK Dons' first change, Samir Carruthers to be replaced by George Baldock as the on-loan Carruthers was to depart in a neck brace at full time.
The Dons' were shocked but carried on trying to find a way through the Posh wall and almost did. Danny Green's free kick smartly stopped by Olejnik as it was destined for the top corner. This was followed by claims for a penalty for a push by Michael Bostwick on Bamford, however all in vain. The winger was at it again seconds later as his long range drive was once again saved by Olejnik who tipped the ball acrobatically over his crossbar.
All that was left in the first period was for Tomlin to be shown a yellow card for simulation, much to the MK Dons supporters' delight.
A dismal dons first half display needed much improvement if they were to find their way past a resilient Posh defence and an inspired Olejnik.
The Dons' felt fairly familiar coming out behind at half time, finding themselves in the same situation for the 4th time in the league this season and on the previous 3 occasions rescuing a point. Izale McLeod was introduced in place of Green for the second half as Robinson looked to salvage something.
The second half continued as the first ended, MK camped in the Peterborough half who had all 10 men behind the ball defending for their lives.
George Baldock cut in from the left and fired his 20 yard effort against the post to the relief of a helpless Olejnik as the travelling support felt it wouldn't be their day.
All the Dons could do was watch their crosses be headed away by a solid Bostwick and co. in the Posh defence and their long shots ping off blue shirts. A frustrating start to the second half saw Alan Smith introduced.
The former England man was straight into the action, nodding headers down from the flanks, however none dropped at the feet of Dons players.
However with a quarter of an hour to go substitute Izale McLeod gave the Dons a lifeline. Penalty box pin-ball saw Smith head the ball across goal to Bamford, Bamford headed the ball back across goal and found McLeod lurking at the back post, he simply couldn't miss.
Within a minute Mark Little then lunged in late on Dons skipper Dean Lewington and he too was sent his marching orders. Darren Ferguson's side down to 9 with 14 minutes remaining.
MK Dons continued to pile on the pressure and look for a leveler but Posh stood up to the task and if it wasn't for man of the match Olejnik the visitors would have been out of sight. Another good stop from Smith as Bamford then struck the bar from range but that was all that Robinson's side could muster.
A lengthy amount of injury time wasn't enough as a relieved Peterborough side ran out 2-1 winners at London Road in a thoroughly enjoyable local derby. The Dons defeated for the first time this season and will look to bounce back at home to Stevenage next week.
The Dons made one change from the home victory over lowly Notts County as Samir Carruthers replaced Jason Banton. Darren Ferguson included Lee Tomlin, Tommy Rowe, Danny Swanson, Tyrone Barnett and top scorer Britt Assombalonga in a strong Posh lineup and a good match looked on the cards.
It took just 5 lively minutes for the game to be turned on its head. Dons' top scorer Patrick Bamford dispossessed by Nathaniel Knight-Percival and the pair entered a foot race for the loose ball. The Posh defender's flailing arm caught the defenseless Bamford clean in the face and this saw Darren Drysdale reduce Peterborough to 10 men for the next 85 minutes.
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| Knight-Percival catches Bamford |
Straight away this put Robinson's men on the front foot, two solid banks of four from Peterborough was hard to break down for the Dons but Luke Chadwick had the perfect opportunity to break the deadlock. The ball sat up nicely for him just 12 yards out but the ex-Manchester United midfielder could only send the ball way over Bobby Olejnik's goal and onto the the roof of the London Road terrace.
 |
| Tomlin sent posh into the lead |
It was coming increasingly obvious that the home sides' best chance of creating an opportunity was through a counter attack, which they duly did. Former MK Dons transfer target Danny Swanson broke through the visitors rearguard and was bundled over by a clumsy challenge from Shaun Williams.
Lee Tomlin stepped up and calmly slotted the ball straight down the middle sending London Road into raptures. 1 man down but 1 goal up.
MK Dons were sloppy throughout the first half and couldn't seem to string their passes together as Peterborough sat back and let the visitors come onto them. Then as was expected the Dons finally got their chance. Williams in-swinging corner finding right-back Jon Otsemobor but the defender could only fire his header past Olejnik's left hand post.
Moments later the Posh stopper was called upon to make his first save of the game, Chadwick's cushioned header finding the on-loan Bamford however the striker could only direct his point plank header straight at Olejnik who made a smart save, the 'keeper was going to prove to be a thorn in the Stadium:MK side throughout.
But for the second time the visitors were going to be made to pay. A rare Antony Kay error from Olejnik's kick saw Assombalonga baring down on goal. His cool finish through the legs of David Martin saw prolific Posh score their second goal with their first shot from open play on 34 minutes.
10 minutes before the break saw MK Dons' first change, Samir Carruthers to be replaced by George Baldock as the on-loan Carruthers was to depart in a neck brace at full time.
The Dons' were shocked but carried on trying to find a way through the Posh wall and almost did. Danny Green's free kick smartly stopped by Olejnik as it was destined for the top corner. This was followed by claims for a penalty for a push by Michael Bostwick on Bamford, however all in vain. The winger was at it again seconds later as his long range drive was once again saved by Olejnik who tipped the ball acrobatically over his crossbar.
All that was left in the first period was for Tomlin to be shown a yellow card for simulation, much to the MK Dons supporters' delight.
A dismal dons first half display needed much improvement if they were to find their way past a resilient Posh defence and an inspired Olejnik.
The Dons' felt fairly familiar coming out behind at half time, finding themselves in the same situation for the 4th time in the league this season and on the previous 3 occasions rescuing a point. Izale McLeod was introduced in place of Green for the second half as Robinson looked to salvage something.
The second half continued as the first ended, MK camped in the Peterborough half who had all 10 men behind the ball defending for their lives.
George Baldock cut in from the left and fired his 20 yard effort against the post to the relief of a helpless Olejnik as the travelling support felt it wouldn't be their day.
All the Dons could do was watch their crosses be headed away by a solid Bostwick and co. in the Posh defence and their long shots ping off blue shirts. A frustrating start to the second half saw Alan Smith introduced.
The former England man was straight into the action, nodding headers down from the flanks, however none dropped at the feet of Dons players.
However with a quarter of an hour to go substitute Izale McLeod gave the Dons a lifeline. Penalty box pin-ball saw Smith head the ball across goal to Bamford, Bamford headed the ball back across goal and found McLeod lurking at the back post, he simply couldn't miss.
 |
| McLeod tapped in for his 67th Dons goal |
Within a minute Mark Little then lunged in late on Dons skipper Dean Lewington and he too was sent his marching orders. Darren Ferguson's side down to 9 with 14 minutes remaining.
MK Dons continued to pile on the pressure and look for a leveler but Posh stood up to the task and if it wasn't for man of the match Olejnik the visitors would have been out of sight. Another good stop from Smith as Bamford then struck the bar from range but that was all that Robinson's side could muster.
A lengthy amount of injury time wasn't enough as a relieved Peterborough side ran out 2-1 winners at London Road in a thoroughly enjoyable local derby. The Dons defeated for the first time this season and will look to bounce back at home to Stevenage next week.
Peterborough:
1. Bobby Olejnik 31. Mark Little 6. Michael Bostwick 20. Nathaniel Knight-Percival 2. Craig Alcock 7. Danny Swanson (11. Grant McCann) 10. Lee Tomlin (5. Gabriel Zakuani) 8. Jack Payne 14. Tommy Rowe 23. Tyrone Barnett (3. Kgosi Ntlhe) 9. Britt Assombalonga
Subs not used: 13. Joe Day 17. Joe Newell 19. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing 28. Jaanai Gordon-Hutton
Goals: Tomlin (pen) 12' Assombalonga 34'
Booked: Tomlin, Assombalonga, Swanson, Barnett
Off: Knight-Percival, Little
MK Dons:
1. David Martin 2. Jon Otsemobor 6. Shaun Williams 24. Antony Kay 3. Dean Lewington 8. Darren Potter 7. Stephen Gleeson 23. Danny Green (13. Izale McLeod) 10. Luke Chadwick (11. Alan Smith) 22. Samir Carruthers (18. George Baldock) 15. Patrick Bamford
Subs not used: 16. Ian McLoughlin 5. Lee Hodson 14. Dele Alli 21. Jason Banton
Goals: McLeod 74'
Booked:
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