Tisdale happy as improved MK Dons dig deep for a point

Posted Sunday, March 17, 2019 by PA

Paul Tisdale was happy with a point as he watched his promotion-chasing MK Dons come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Stevenage.

Chuks Aneke’s late strike rescued a point for MK Dons who remain in the third and final League Two promotion place.

Ilias Chair had put Stevenage ahead in the first half with a superb 35-yard strike, which looked like earning the visitors a second straight league win until Aneke tapped home with minutes left.

Tisdale said: “I am happy with the point because we came back from the setback strong – I thought we deserved to win it. But I am happy.

“I think we put a lot of pressure on them and we have to give them credit because they defended well – I do not have too many grumbles because it is a point gained.

“We worked a pattern from half-time to the end to be able to get that goal and perhaps go on a get a second – I am proud of the players’ efforts and perhaps this is something we could not have done two or so months ago.

“I have just said to the players we have eight games to go and I think this is a positive dressing room – we have eight games to go so we are not in a bad position.

“I told the players there will be days when we do well and pick up a good result but in this league, I know there are times when things do not go your way and we have to deal with the ups and downs.”

Dino Maamria’s side started on the front foot and opened the scoring when QPR loanee Chair unleashed an unstoppable 35-yard strike, which flew past Dons keeper Lee Nicholls and into the bottom corner of the net on 30 minutes.

Milton Keynes were unlucky not to level things up on the hour mark when Russell Martin was denied by the superb reflexes of Boro keeper Paul Farmon, who produced a fine save before watching the ball smack the underside of his crossbar.

Tisdale’s men did find an equaliser on 83 minutes when Martin’s cross fell to the feet of Aneke, who tapped home to salvage a point.

Stevenage boss Maamria was in no doubt his side – who remain in 10th – should have won the game and taken all three points.

He said: “It is two points lost. We should have won the game because we have had enough chances to win it – but overall it was a very good performance.

“I thought MK Dons were predictable, we congested the middle of the park and stopped them from playing through the middle.

“I feel a sense of injustice because we should have got three points.”