Neilson notches first win
ROBBIE NEILSON claimed his first win as Milton Keynes manager by securing a historic derby triumph over AFC Wimbledon – before declaring it was just like a Scottish game.
Neilson’s charges claimed a narrow 1-0 triumph thanks to a second- half penalty by Dean Bowditch in front of 11,185 fans at Stadium MK.
Yesterday’s result was MK Dons’ first League One win at home all season, while halting a run of just one victory in seven outings.
And the rough-and-ready style of the game rang plenty of bells for the former Hearts gaffer.
Neilson said: “It’s a similar game to the one in Scotland – a lot of blood and thunder, with flashes of quality in there.
“But I was delighted with the players, they were exceptional.
“Since Stevie Crawford and I have come in, they’ve given everything and they’re desperate to do well.”
It was the first league meeting between the sides since Pete Winkelman’s Inter MK Group bought over Wimbledon in 2003 following their descent into administration, relocating the club to Milton Keynes and rebranding them.
A completely new club, AFC Wimbledon, were created in response to the takeover and, after starting their life in the lower reaches of the English game, have made up the EIGHT tier difference between the clubs.
However, their was no fairytale win for them yesterday as the former Jambos head coach came out on top.
Neilson added: “Against a very good side, with all the history that goes with it, we had to fight for each other, defend for each other, put bodies on the line.
“Hopefully this is the springboard.”