Defensive lapses frustrate Michael Flynn as sorry Cheltenham lose at MK Dons

Posted Sunday, November 17, 2024 by PA

Cheltenham boss Michael Flynn was frustrated by defensive lapses as his side let a 2-0 lead slip in a 3-2 League Two defeat at MK Dons.

The visitors had taken a two-goal lead early on. Luke Young rifled home after receiving a free-kick in the sixth minute, before George Miller tapped in from another set-piece in the 13th minute.

Alex Gilbey pulled a goal back for the Dons when he fired home Scott Hogan’s cross.

Two second-half goals saw MK Dons complete their comeback as Ellis Harrison equalised when he converted Hogan’s assist, before Laurence Maguire poked home an 86th-minute winner.

Flynn was frustrated by the goals given away as he felt it undermined a positive performance.

He said: “The fact they didn’t have to do anything for their goals and it was all helped by us is the frustrating thing. We’ve given away three very poor goals.

“They’ve got a really good squad with good players and they don’t need any help but we’ve given them (it). I thought we’ve played well today, just defended really poorly for the three goals and that’s the frustrating thing.

“I’m not one of those to try to dress things up or sugarcoat or hide things – if we were poor, I’d say we were poor. I thought we were really good, it’s just the goals were very poor. We’ve got to cut them out.

“We started dropping deep halfway through the second half that gave them help to go a bit more direct. I don’t think we dealt as well with it as we should’ve.

“It’s frustrating but there’s loads of positives and we’ve got to go again next Friday.”

MK Dons boss Scott Lindsey felt his side won despite a performance that showed a “lack of quality” for periods.

He said: “We didn’t play great and showed a real lack of quality at times. I thought first half, we showed a lack of urgency and were so slow in play where goal-kicks and throw-ins took an age.

“We gave too many free-kicks away then can’t defend the free-kicks properly, which I’ll be putting a lot of detail and work in going forward because I’m not happy with that.

“I had to work really hard to change things, swap things about and get different shapes to get a foothold in the game.

“I thought second half, we showed a little bit more urgency but showed a lack of quality. Not a great game but the character of the players was the most pleasing for me and also there were some good goals.

“I do think the character the players showed was brilliant. The dressing room’s really buzzing in there and I’ve just said teams who win titles and promotions win games when not playing well – we’ll take that.”