No away day blues for Karl and Dons

KARL Robinson is hoping that home can be where the heart is for his upwardly mobile MK Dons.

A fourth away league win of the season was secured thanks to goals in each half from Ben Reeves and Kieran Agard.

The victory lifted the Dons to ninth place, only two points off the play-offs, while also helping banish memories of the midweek 3-1 home loss to Bury.

“We looked like a good team,” said Dons boss Robinson, whose men are still winless at Stadium MK.

“There was a bit of concern when George Baldock came off with a hamstring injury, but we were defensively very strong and it was a good performance.

“Hopefully, our fans have gone back down the motorway happy, because it’s the supporters we do it for.

“Darren Potter marshalled the midfield outstandingly well and I’m happy the back four stood up and were counted, because we needed a clean sheet.

“We have one of the best away records anywhere, so now we need to start doing it at home as well.

“Everyone can see we are getting better gameby-game and we are slowly starting to build some momentum.”

Reeves netted in the 36th minute when his left-footed shot arrowed in from 30 yards, squirming under the body of the diving Connor Ripley before trickling over the line.

Two minutes into the second half, Oldham’s veteran centre-back Peter Clarke almost equalised, but his acrobatic overhead kick as a corner was flicked back into the box was directed straight against the face of the crossbar.

Robinson’s side doubled their lead ten minutes in. Samir Carruthers directed a free-kick into the box from the left flank, with Agard stealing in to flick a header beyond Ripley.

Agard later smacked an effort against the crossbar from inside the area and the visitors saw out the game with some ease.

“It was a deserved result. MK Dons were the better team throughout and we didn’t turn up again,” said Oldham manager Stephen Robinson.

“We can’t put our finger on it. We played really well at Charlton and to go from that to this, is disappointing. I have told some players some home truths.We ask for desire and a work ethic as a bare minimum, but only three players put that it.

“Every touch we took in the first half was backwards and we were negative. We looked like we played with fear, which is the biggest worry for me.”