Stevie G the man to replace Barker?
RICHIE Barker can sign off with satisfaction if this proves his last game as MK Dons caretaker-boss.
Reports circulating during the match were that Steven Gerrard has been offered the manager’s job and will make a decision on Monday.
But Barker had no knowledge of that when he met the media after overseeing a disciplined and committed display at the Memorial Stadium.
He said: “At the moment I expect to be in charge for the next game. I haven’t been told any different.
“I’ll start preparing for Chesterfield for Tuesday unless I get a phone call telling me otherwise.
“The situation needs to be sorted out, but I have said from day one that it’s not about how much time it takes.
“Most people know we are getting close. The important thing is to get the right man, whoever that might be.
“The lads were excellent here. It’s now two games unbeaten with only one goal conceded in three hours and it’s a start to turning round what was happening before.”
For all the Dons’ defensive qualities on the day, it took a brilliant late save from David Martin to deny Rovers a victory.
On 88 minutes the goalkeeper dived low to his right to keep out a header from Jermaine Easter, which took a deflection and threatened to creep inside the post.
Rovers goalkeeper Kelle Roos palmed over two fierce first-half efforts from George Baldock and also blocked a low effort from Ryan Colclough.
Roos was relieved to see an early glancing header from former Bristol City striker Kieran Agard go narrowly wide.
But Rovers manager Darrell Clarke was upbeat, despite making a triple substitution on 52 minutes in a bid to pep his shot-shy attack.
Clarke said: “It was an honest performance from my players against a team who have won four away games this season for a reason.
“It was a good test for my players and we take a point and move on. MK Dons play a style of football different to most clubs in League One and I’m pleased with a clean sheet.
“When we played there this season we should have been beaten in the first half hour.
“Getting the balance of the team right after being taken to extra time in the FA Cup on Tuesday was important.
“The substitutions gave the crowd a lift and almost paid off, but it was probably a fair result.”