Rushian Hepburn-Murphy treble helps Tranmere sink 10-man MK Dons

Posted Sunday, November 03, 2019 by PA

Rushian Hepburn-Murphy scored a hat-trick as Tranmere ran out 3-1 winners over 10-man MK Dons.

Paul Tisdale’s side had levelled through Ben Reeves, but the Dons’ hopes of ending an eight-game winless league run were dashed when Keiran Agard was sent off just before half-time.

The visitors took the lead inside 15 minutes when Keiron Morris slotted the perfect cross into the path of Hepurn-Murphy, who tapped home from inside the box.

The Dons levelled when Reeves’ left-footed strike from the edge of the Tranmere penalty area fizzed into the bottom corner – his first goal since making a summer return to the club.

MK’s revival was scuppered minutes later when Agard received a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Rovers’ Neil Danns.

Micky Mellon’s side retook the lead eight minutes after the break when Hepburn-Murphy raced onto Connor Jennings’ neat through ball before coolly slotting home his second.

The 21-year-old completed his hat-trick in the 69th minute after a neat finish, rounding off a comfortable victory for Rovers and ending their two-game winless league run.