RUSSELL’S DON GOOD
Away misery over for Martin
RUSSELL MARTIN celebrated MK Dons’ first away win for
14 months as Sunderland blew the chance to go second.
It was September 14 last year the last time MK Dons dug out a victory on their travels at Blackpool and Martin – now the boss – scored in the game.
This was a damaging defeat for Sunderland who are in the midst of a wobble – three defeats in eight days.
Scott Fraser’s second-half penalty clinched their first win ever against Sunderland in five games, with keeper Andrew Fisher given his chance and making a series of key saves late on.
Martin said: “I’m so proud of them. We haven’t spoken about the away record without a win, but they’ve got social media, they listen to the interviews so of course they were aware of it and it frustrated rated them as much as it did me.
“It will be nice not to talk about it any more. And what a place to come to do it.
“To come back after the way we started the game, it’s incredible.”
Sunderland manager
Phil Parkinson (right) was as unhappy at their run of results and branded their finishing “unacceptable” .
He said: “We are very frustrated. The second goal especially really cost us.
“Three errors led to the foul, which led to the penalty.
“In terms of chances around the six-yard box it is unacceptable that we have not taken them.
“They are gilt-edge moments, and you can’t be at the top unless you take them.
“We get four or five moments to convert. We missed too many, this game, and in others.”
Max Power opened the scoring early on with a deflected shot but it was clear MK Dons were going to be tough opponents.
Lynden Gooch’s cross fell kindly for Power who drilled a low drive that clipped Warren O’Hora’s heel in the
12th minute.
MK Dons started strongly showing early signs of their attacking potential despite facing League One’s meanest defence.
Dean Lewington flicked a header just over, and Stephen Walker jinked free in the box and had a shot blocked.
Cameron Jerome levelled four minutes after Sunderland’s opener.
Ben Gladwin swung the ball into the area and the veteran striker glanced powerfully past Remi Matthews, who got the call in goal ahead of Lee Burge.
Fraser put the visitors ahead with a penalty in the 47th minute.
Power tried to hook clear close to the edge of the area but booted Scotish midfielder Fraser, and ref Steve Martin made the right call.
Despite the defeat, Parkinson reckons his side are well equipped to make the top two this season, their third i in League One.
But they need to be more ruthless and cute in i attack. S Somehow h Will Grigg missed an open goal from two yards out as Gooch fired across goal.
He got a faint touch, which went for a throw in. A terrible miss.
Parkinson said: “He worked his socks off for the team.
“He knows he has to make those moments count.”
Then Denver Hume smashed wide from 12 yards and was also denied an equaliser by a brilliant save by Andrew Fisher.
Immediately at the other end Matthews was top notch to block Fraser who was clear in on goal.
Matthews 6; Willis 5 (Diamond 86th), Wright 6, O’Nien 5; Gooch 6, Power 6 (Maguire (67th)
5), Leadbitter 6, Scowen 5, Hume 7; Wyke 5, Grigg 4 (Graham (72nd) 6)
Fisher 8; O’Hora 6, Keogh 7, Lewington 6; Fraser 7, Gladwin 7 (Cargill 76th), Kasumu 6, Thompson
6 (Sorensen 79th), Sorinola 7; Walker 7 (Morris (62nd)
6); Jerome 7
Scott Fraser
S Martin