11102022 Match Report MK Dons v Rovers

Rovers secured successive wins, with a second-half Antony Evans penalty the difference in Buckinghamshire.

Joey Barton utilised his squad to make three changes to the side for tonight's trip to Buckinghamshire. In came Coutts, Gibson and McCormick for Finley, Hoole and Evans, whilst there was a return to the squad for Harry Anderson.

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Rovers flew out of the blocks and a second-minute corner was volleyed just over by Lewis Gibson from the edge of the box. Loft slid into a tackle after four minutes that may have resulted in a booking from other officials, but not Mr Oldham. 

Collins was not so fortunate in the 14th minute, however, as he saw yellow for pulling an MK Dons shirt. Sixty seconds later, it was Collins who was on the receiving end of a foul, resulting in a caution for Harvie.

A good spell of pressure after 19 minutes saw Collins play a lovely ball inside O'Hora for the overlapping Gordon, whose cross was cleared as far as Collins; his fierce shot was charged down.

For all their possession, McCormick had Rovers' first real chance after 25 minutes, when Cumming's sliced clearance fell to Rossiter. He flicked it to an onrushing McCormick, but his shot wasn't the cleanest and bobbled wide of the target.

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Ref Oldham was being kept busy, and Rovers' Thomas was booked for a late challenge on Kayode. The resulting free-kick was headed tamely wide and Rovers remained firmly on top.

As the half came to an end, there was one final chance for the Gas. Coburn outmuscled the defenders and played a ball down the line to Collins. His cross was hard across the face of the goal and only the fingers of a diving Cumming kept the ball away from Loft.

The second half started with a header from Johnson straight at Belshaw. Bobby Thomas sprayed a superb forty-yard diagonal pass to Collins, who saw his low cross cleared as Rovers looked to regain control.

Coburn controlled well on his chest, before beating his man and being fouled in the 53rd minute. From the free-kick, Cumming was fouled and MK Dons were able to regroup.

A Coutts interception led to a chance for Loft, but Cummings dived to push his shot behind for a corner. From it, McCormick found space but fired over the bar. It was to be his last contribution, with Finley taking his place.

Gordon was forced to clear from substitute Dennis after 59 minutes as the home side looked to exert some authority.

Collins drove at the defence after 62 minutes, drawing a foul - and a booking - from Jules. His free-kick took a nick off the wall and Rovers had a corner. From it, Gibbons headed back across goal and Gibson's header looked every inch a goal, but Cumming came from nowhere to tip the ball over his bar.

Rossiter was next to go close, firing just wide of the goal after good work from Coutts. There was a double substitution in the 70th minute as Evans and Hoole replaced Gibbons and Coburn. 

Rovers were handed the chance to score in the 75th minute after Ryan Loft was fouled by Johnson in the box. Antony Evans stroked the penalty confidently home to put the Gas a goal to the good.

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There were six added minutes for Rovers to see out, which Harry Anderson seemed to be content to do by himself in the corner, shielding the ball from the entire Dons' backline.

Next up for Rovers is a short trip to Cheltenham in Sky Bet League One on Saturday 15th October (Kick-off 3pm).

ROVERS: Belshaw, Gibbons, Gibson, Thomas, Gordon, Coutts (c), McCormick, Rossiter, Loft, Collins, Coburn. 

Substitutes: Jaakkola, Anderson, Finley, Evans, Clarke, Hoole, Jasper.

MK DONS: Cumming, Lewington (c), O'Hora, McEachran, Smith, Grigg, Oyegoke, Johnson, Kayode, Harvie, Jules.

Substitutes: Ravizzoli, Tucker, Robson, Holland, Grant, Barry, Dennis.

Referee: Scott Oldham

Attendance: 6,466

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