MK WILL BE AOK
Hero Lee: Scaring the Clarets shows we are ready for promotion
AET: Burnley win 4-3 on penalties
JASON MELLOR
LEE NICHOLLS has called on MK Dons to use their FA Cup heartache as a springboard to league success.
Russell Martin’s side came within seconds of a shock win and their hero goalkeeper wants them to start reproducing the kind of form that gave Burnley a scare. Cameron Jerome’s expertlyheaded ninth goal since arriving in October was cancelled out by Matej Vydra’s stoppagetime leveller before the Clarets squeezed through on pens. Nicholls, who made a string of stunning saves, is determined to help the League One side close the eightpoint gap to the play-off places in the second half of the campaign. T h e Dons have lost just one of their last five league games and Nicholls ( below) said: “We gave absolutely everything and it’s heartbreaking to lose. It hurts a lot.
“We’ve come to the home of an established Premier League team, moved the ball around really well, and caused them problems all afternoon. Now we have to build on this for the rest of the season.”
In a breathless tie, Dons defender Richard Keogh had a red card for handball overturned by VAR before boss Martin was sent to the stands for protesting after Vyrda’s scrambled equaliser came after the indicated three minutes of injury-time.
Nicholls, who saved from Vydra in the shoot-out, added: “We think their goal came after the three minutes at the end but that’s football. We pulled ourselves together for extra- time and it’s such a shame to lose on penalties.”
Debutant keeper Will Norris saved two shoot-out pens to seal Burnley’s place in the fourth round for a fifth time in six seasons.
Sean Dyche still got it in the neck from fans as the Burnley manager copped flak for a strong starting line-up.
Social media was awash with the views of supporters worried that, just 72 hours before the Premier League visit of Manchester United, Dyche had named too many first-team regulars.
But it is just one defeat in seven for the Clarets, and Dyche said: “Trying to balance everything and win a game was a bit tricky, especially against such a good MK Dons team.
“You look at our side and say we should have won that game – and we did in the end.”
LEE NICHOLLS (MK DONS)
BRISTOL ROVERSROV
STUCK on 99 since last July, Chris Wilder is banking on his 100th win as Sheffield United boss signalling better times. After finally fina nailing that personal ton in a tight, topsyturvy turvy FA Cup Cu tie at League One Brist Bristol Rovers, the Blades chief ch ’s attention immediat immediately turned back to the club’s desperate plight at the fo foot of the Premier League.
With Without a top- flight victory in 17 outings this term, W Wilder’s basement boys d desperately need to rectify rect that appalling situa situation as soon as poss possible. But that is
b 100t b
easier said than done. Their remaining fixtures this month are Newcastle, Tottenham, Manchester United and then Manchester City. Gulp!
Which is why Saturday’s success, albeit in a different competition against opponents 42 places below them in the pyramid, was utterly imperative.
After 19 defeats and two draws in six sorry months, at last the Yorkshire strugglers can add a ‘ W’ to the stats.
Wilder, under pressure like never before during four-andahalf years in charge, admitted: “Hopefully, we can use this and take it forward. That would be great.
“Obviously, it’s difficult because we have Newcastle on Tuesday, who are a really established Premier League side.
“Then it’s Tottenham, who look like they might have a week’s rest on us, next weekend. They are a top side, with a fabulous group of players – and a brilliant
OUR BUMP START.. Wilder greets the goalkeeping coach at Rovers, David Coles manager. So, it’s tough. It’s game on again for us – as it was today. But there is no downside to winning. I have just told the players that.”
Wilder then dismissed his own century milestone as irrelevant, while opening up on the heavy mood hanging over his beloved Blades throughout a wretched second campaign back among the elite.
“The players care, they hurt. They are not toilet- bag footballers,” insisted the former Bramall Lane defender, 53.
“I look into their eyes and see they’re hurting incredibly. Hopefully, they can feel a little bit lift off them with this win.
“I’m really not interested in 100 wins. It’s never, ever been about me.
“Every decision I make is for the benefit of the club.”
Wilder certainly got those right in the West Country on Saturday.
Firstly, car-smash striker Lys Mousset’s header led to United’s opener – an own goal by unlucky Rovers goalkeeper
Joe Day. Then, after Alfie Kilgour equalised for Paul Tisdale’s hosts before the break, Blades substitute Ollie Burke came off the bench to make it 2-1 with a fine 58th-minute run and finish.
Impressive Rovers, 18th in League One but with several games in hand on the majority, levelled again – through defender Max Ehmer.
But just a minute later Burke’s dummy allowed rightback Jayden Bogle ( left) in for the winner.
New Gas boss Tisdale said: “We can take confidence. There wasn’t a lot in it against a Premier League side.” BRISTOL ROVERS: Day 8, Ehmer 6, Kilgour 8, Baldwin 7, Leahy 7, Westbrook 7, Upson 6 (Rodman 80), McCormick 6, Oztumer 6 (Grant 60, 6), Hanlan 6, Ayunga 7 (Barrett 60, 6)
SHEFFIELD UNITED: Ramsdale 6, Basham, 6, Egan 6, Ampadu 7, Bogle 7, Lundstram 7 (Bryan 73), Norwood 6, Fleck 7 (Lowe 86), Osborn, McGoldrick, Mousset 7 (Burke 52, 8)