Rampant Rhys steers Dons past Wanderers

THERE was only one name on Russell Martin’s lips as MK Dons side secured their third consecutive league victory after a gritty three-point haul against Bolton.

Rhys Healey scored for the fifth straight League game as the hosts dominated the contest and now sit 13 points clear of the relegation places.

Martin was quick to heap praise on the 25-year-old, who has now netted ten league goals this campaign, even if he believes he can improve in one area in particular.

“Rhys could have had a hat-trick and his approach is fantastic,” said Martin.

“He comes in with a smile on his face every day. If he could just learn the offside rule he would be even better.

“We were in control for the whole game, and we are going to come up against more of these sides this season, who will sit back and make it difficult.

“We were lacking our usual intensity and it’s a sign of how far we’ve come that we’re not at our best, but still won.”

Carlton Morris should have given MK Dons the lead after Alex Gilbey’s cutback found the loanee inside the Bolton box, before seeing his first-time effort blocked.

Keith Hill’s men threatened shortly after the interval when Ali Crawford’s neat through ball sent Daryl Murphy through on goal, but the veteran forward’s left-footed effort skipped inches wide of goal.

MK broke the deadlock in the 68th minute after Gilbey sent Healey through on goal, before the former Cardiff man slotted home with his left foot for his 11th goal of the season and his fifth in as many league games. Dennis Politic threatened a leveller for the visitors five minutes from time with a closerange effort that forced MK goalkeeper Lee Nicholls into a save, to secure Martin’s men a third consecutive league win.

For Bolton, however, their fourth consecutive league defeat leaves them five points adrift at the bottom of the table, but manager Hill is remaining upbeat.

He said: “Our recent run is a major concern and nobody wants to have a run like we’ve been on.

“We never predicted a run like this, but we have to understand that these things do happen.

“There’s light at the end of the tunnel. I get inspired by recoveries, but we know that results haven’t been good enough.”