Martin disappointed MK Dons could not find late winner at Shrewsbury

MK Dons manager Russell Martin admitted he was “a bit disappointed” his team were unable to claim maximum points after hitting back to draw 1-1 at Shrewsbury.

Omar Beckles drilled a powerful shot high into the net to give the home side the lead just past the hour before Rhys Healey equalised 13 minutes from time.

There were chances at both ends as the two sides chased a late winner, with Dons duo Healey and Sam Nombe each hitting the woodwork in the closing stages.

Martin said: “I think there was only one team who was going to win the game in the end if you look at all these chances that we had in the last five, six minutes.

“I felt like it was coming, I think we all did. I could see the players believed we were going to win the game and the game probably just ended a couple of minutes too short for us, too early, but difficult conditions.

“We dominated the game in terms of possession, dominated the game in terms of chances against a team who are not easy to play against, who don’t concede many goals, so I’m really proud of the boys, really pleased, but I am a bit disappointed.

“It’s a good thing, I think, coming away that I am bit disappointed we didn’t get three points, but I can’t speak highly enough of the team yet again and everyone contributed.”

Beckles fired Shrewsbury in front in the 62nd minute, but Dons responded well with Healey confidently converting the rebound to equalise after goalkeeper Joe Murphy initially saved well from Nombe.

Shrewsbury manager Sam Ricketts, whose side were knocked out of the FA Cup by Liverpool in an Anfield replay on Tuesday night, said: “I think we certainly had two or three real good opportunities to get more goals than we did.

“I think there’s one where Dan Udoh’s about to tap it into the empty net and the guy pulls his shirt back – and for some reason, it stops Dan scoring a goal, but then no foul gets given or no consequence of that.

“We had some other really good opportunities to score and we didn’t.

“We have to make it very, very clear that we’re in a period where the players have been asked to play so many games in such a short space of time, from the busy Christmas period up to now.

“I think all I can ask and the supporters can ask is that they give their all on the pitch and they certainly did that.

“Conditions weren’t conducive to playing a game like the Liverpool game which was a matter of days ago now.

“The pitch, the wind, everything about it, it was a real difficult game. It wasn’t a spectacle and unfortunately there’s nothing we can really do about that.

“But to show the grit and determination which the players showed is outstanding.”