NICHOLLS STOPS ROT FOR DONS
PAUL TISDALE hailed a “big moment” for his MK Dons side after keeper Lee Nicholls pulled off a fine save from the penalty spot to end a five-game losing run.
Injury-hit Dons were not able to name a striker in their starting XI and so were forced to work hard to earn a share of the spoils.
Tisdale was delighted with their efforts.
He said: “I thought it was a brilliant game of football and I really enjoyed it. I am delighted to have got a clean sheet and a point – it seems like a small step, but it is a big step for us.
“We had to be brave and try things. Coventry are a really good footballing side and we had to think about how we might get through on their goal, and we put in a really good team performance.”
Tisdale saved particular praise for Nicholls, who was at the centre of the game’s central moment.
“Well done to Lee Nicholls – that is as good as scoring a goal. That was a really big moment,” added Tisdale.
The visitors, now winless in four, wasted a decent opportunity when Sam McCallum’s cross into the six-yard box was met by front man Amadou Bakayoko, whose header flew inches wide of goal.
Coventry were awarded a penalty when Dons keeper Nicholls brought down Hiwula inside the box. The striker then got up to take the spotkick, only for Nicholls to pull off a fine save.
MK’s first shot on goal followed minutes later when Hiram Boateng’s half-volley from inside the visitors’ box forced keeper Marko Marosi into action.
Marosi could only watch helpless when substitute Ben Reeves’ long-range effort nearly won it for MK late on, only to smack off the underit side of the Coventry crossbar late on, as the match ended goalless.
Coventry boss Mark Robins was frustrated at his side’s lack of threat in front of goal.
He said: “I know why we have not come away with three points today, it is because we were lacking a little bit in front of goal.
“We had a lot of the ball and did not do enough with it, and we were making poor decisions in the final third – it is so frustrating because we feel like we are picking a lock, and we are just getting round to that last little bit before we are able to open the door.
“We are not working hard enough, so we have to pick that up and do better, but again I can’t be too harsh because that is where we are at the minute.
“If you fancy yourself to pick the ball up and take the penalty, you have to make sure you do better with it and put in the back of the net.” The result leaves MK 19th in the League One table, two points above the relegation zone.
Coventry’s poor run of form sees them in sixth spot, six points behind leaders Ipswich Town.