MK Dons expose
ROCHDALE’S propensity for conceding late goals returned to haunt them once again at Stadium:MK where a 93rd minute penalty handed the home side victory.
Ian Henderson had fired the visitors ahead, an advantage they took into the interval. But an equaliser minutes into the second period, followed by Rhys Healey’s late spot kick, meant Brian BarryMurphy’s men returned home empty handed.
Dale have dropped some 24 points from winning positions this season – one of the reasons they find themselves so close to the relegation zone. If they can avoid the drop this season – and with Southend and Bolton all but down already, it’s down to one last place – then BBM will fancy his chances of finishing higher up the table next season. If Dale could reduce those 24 points by, say, a third, they would be a mid-table side rather than one flirting too closely at the foot of the division.
The Dons started well in midweek, with a move down the right leading to a chance for Callum Brittain, who curled over from the edge of the area. Rochdale went closer, though, five minutes later – forward Tyler Smith firing into the side netting after beating the offside trap.
Stephen Dooley was making a nuisance of himself early on and a quick counter attack from Dale saw him provide an opportunity for Henderson on the quarter-hour mark but his effort was deflected wide off George Williams.
However, from the resulting corner, the visitors broke the deadlock.
Eoghan O’Connell’s flick on appeared to have the beating of Dons goalkeeper Lee Nicholls, but Henderson, two yards from the goalline, left no room for doubt, volleying the ball into the net from close range.
Russell Martin’s men had an opportunity to respond four minutes later from a free-kick, after Healey was brought down five yards from the edge of the box. Morris took the set-piece but saw his effort blocked by the wall.
Morris was involved again on 25 minutes, driving down the left before teeing up Alex Gilbey, who took a heavy touch inside the area.
Dale fired back with Ollie Rathbone trying his luck from range – Nicholls making the save.
Nicholls’ opposite number, Jay Lynch, was called into action for the first time to keep out Callum Brittain’s low drive, the Dale stopper pouncing on the loose ball before Gilbey could capitalise.
Healey then had the final chance of the first half, curling a shot into the arms of Lynch from 25 yards.
The Dons made a substitution at the break, replacing David Kasumu with Sam Nombe and the striker had a positive impact, as the home side made a strong start to the half.
They were rewarded for that positive beginning with a goal four minutes in. Rochdale did well to deal with three corners sent into the box but the fourth, delivered in by Jordan Houghton, resulted in Morris flicking a header past Lynch.
Healey went close to putting his side ahead on the hour after latching onto Nicholls’ long ball forward. He showed great skill to create room for a shot but had his effort deflected wide of the goal.
The visitors went close at the other end with Dooley dragging a low shot just wide of the left-hand upright.
On 71 minutes, Morris found the run of Nombe with a through ball but the striker had his curling effort gathered by Lynch. Shortly after, Brittain crashed a strike against