O’hara gets a special one for Dons

WARREN O’HORA kept MK Dons on course for promotion with a rare goal from an even rarer source.

The centre-back (top) slotted home on the hour mark after Cambridge failed to deal with Dan Harvie’s long-throw.

Incredibly it was the first time all season the Dons had decided to chuck the ball into the opposition box.

Head coach Liam Manning said: “The lads hadn’t even practised it.

“I wouldn’t say I don’t like long throws but usually I like to keep in control rather than leave it to percentages.

“Plus our pitch is massive – at home we haven’t got anyone who can reach!”

The Dons remain third three points behind Wigan but news that leaders Rotherham had lost meant automatic promotion is very much a possibility.

Manning’s side made a strong start with ex-u’s defender Harry Darling sending an overhead-kick wide.

Troy Parrott wasted an even better chance in the sixth minute when Kaine Kesler-hayden set him up.

However, the on-loan Tottenham striker, 20, blasted well over from 10 yards.

Cambridge’s reply was a fine move that twice came close to an opener.

Sam Smith set up Harvey Knibbs for a clear sight of goal but Dons keeper Jamie Cumming did well to tip on to the bar.

Joe Ironside headed the rebound goalward but Conor Coventry was able to hook off the line.

Knibbs should have fired the hosts ahead just before half-time after Cumming had blocked Harrison Dunk’s shot.

Again the rebound went straight to a U but Knibbs sidefooted wastefully wide of an unprotected goal.

O’hora was booked early in the second half for upending Dunk on edge of the box, with Sam Smith curling the freekick just wide.

The Irishman’s next contribution was to score from that one and only long throw. Mo Eisa touched the ball into the centre-back’s path for only his second goal of the season.

Ironside poked wide from close range following another Dunk sortie upfield but MK prevented any more chances and ate up the rest of the game with some top-class timewasting.

The U’s are not in direct relegation danger but have now picked up just one point from the last 15 available.

Their display was a big improvement on last week’s 6-0 thrashing at Sheffield Wednesday though.

Cambridge manager Mark Bonner said: “Everyone will have seen we should have scored – we should have won the game to be honest.”