BEAMING AT RECORD RUN Dons deliver on their travels
MK DONS manager Karl Robinson singled out the hunger and desire of his players as they made it ten league games unbeaten with a draw against Preston at Deepdale.
Scott Wiseman struck a superb second half volley to level the scores after Carl Baker had put MK Dons ahead before half time.
The draw means that the Dons stay third, ahead of Preston only on goal difference but North End have a game in hand.
Dons, who are the top scorers in League One, now haven’t lost since September – making it the longest run in their history at this level.
Robinson, while acknowledging they rode their luck, said his players were magnificent on the day.
“It’s the biggest unbeaten run in the club’s history at this level,” Robinson said.
“It’s okay in League Two but in League One it’s a remarkable achievement by the players.
“People don’t realise how hard this is.
“We’ve played a lot of big teams in this ten-game run.
“It was a very hard point. We’re disappointed with the goal and we’ve rode our luck with Davies’ header.
“We stopped playing in the second half. I think we fell into their trap and played too many long balls for us.
“But I thought the hunger of our players today was magnificent.
“Their hunger and desire, and it just shows you that we’re disappointed with a point. “I love every single one of my players. They are a credit to this club and they’re a credit to themselves as individuals.
“I’m proud to manage every single one of them.”
MK Dons threatened in the seventh minute as Benik Afobe found Daniel Powell at the far post and the winger forced Thorsten Stuckmann to tip his rightfooted shot from 12 yards over the bar.
Kevin Davies missed a golden opportunity to give Preston the lead in the 19th minute as Jermaine Beckford put the ball on a plate for the veteran striker who struck over the bar.
MK Dons took the lead in the 39th minute as Dele Alli picked up the ball on the left edge of the area and crossed low to find Baker who knocked it in on the stretch.
Preston threatened to equalise in the 48th minute as the ball broke to Paul Gallagher from 12 yards, who hit a swivelled right-foot volley from 12 yards straight at David Martin.
Preston’s second half dominance finally paid off in the 67th minute as Davies knocked the ball back into the area from the byline and found rightback Scott Wiseman who volleyed in from eight yards.
The home side had a great chance to take all three points in the closing minutes as Davies was found in the centre of the box but his header from six yards was saved by Martin.
Preston manager Simon Grayson felt that a point was the very least his team deserved and gave credit to his strike pairing.
“We played really well,” Grayson said.“We’ve not finished the chances when they’ve come along for us.
“The least we deserved was the draw. The performances of the two strikers was really good.
“I thought Kev was a real handful, Jermaine was looking to play off him and running down the side causing him problems but they are judged on their goals as well I suppose.
“I would have thought many many strikers would not even have bothered keeping the ball in the 18 yard box but Kev did what he did and landed it at an unusual suspect in Scott Wiseman.
“We were positive in our play today and it’s pleasing for a manager when you keep going and keep making it difficult for them.
“You look at Stucky and I don’t think he’s had a single save to make in the game whereas their keeper had plenty to do.”