Report: Dons 2-1 Sheff Wed
The Dons delivered an impressive display to overcome Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 under the lights at stadiummk.
Gary Hooper pulled one back for the Owls but the Dons stood firm and deservedly held on for an important three points.
Rob Hall replaced Dean Bowditch at No.10 in the only change from the weekend encounter with Ipswich Town.
Buoyed by Saturday’s showing, the Dons started on the front foot and only a well-timed clearance denied Josh Murphy finding Nicky Maynard with a cut-back.
Murphy almost found Maynard once again shortly afterwards with a ball over the top of the Owls defence but it was gathered by Keiren Westwood.
The Norwich City loanee then saw a shot deflect behind before he sent in a dangerous cross from the left-hand side.
Samir Carruthers had the Dons’ next chance so far as he latched on to Hall’s pass, drove forward and curled an effort not too far past the top left-hand corner.
The best opportunity came on 17 minutes and it fell to the lively Murphy, whose goal-bound drive was brilliantly blocked after Maynard had got in down the right and pulled the ball back.
Dons’ pressure was finally rewarded in the 25th minute when Maynard did brilliantly to roll his man and feed Carl Baker, who beat two men before firing home. Brilliant goal.
Maynard was denied by a smart block following a clever turn prior to Jordan Spence seeing a teasing cross well cleared as the men from MK1 maintained their dominance.
Wednesday responded before the half was out the Dons stood firm, blocking a couple of shots in the process to ensure they went into the break with a deserved lead.
The Owls started the second half well but the Dons struck a second in the 50th minute, Maynard latching on to Carruthers’ through-ball and superbly slotting past the on-rushing Westwood from 20 yards.
Like they have been all season, the home faithful were really getting behind the team and they almost had a third to cheer but Hall couldn’t quite pick out a team-mate.
Westwood was then forced into a smart save to deny Maynard from 20 yards while, at the other end, the Dons were relatively comfortably dealing with the Owls’ threat.
The impressive Hall was replaced by Ben Reeves with 20 minutes remaining as Karl Robinson opted for some fresh legs to keep the pressure on the visitors.
David Martin ensured his and the Dons’ clean sheet remained in tact on 75 minutes with a stunning one-handed save to deny Forestieri from 12 yards.
There was nothing Martin could do on 77 minutes as substitute Gary Hooper swept home Ross Wallace’s cross from inside the Dons box to reduce the arrears.
A superb take from Martin in injury-time relieved a bit of pressure as the Owls looked for a leveller, but the men from MK1 stood firm, which included a fantastic clearance from substitute Diego Poyet, to deservedly take the points.
MK Dons: Martin; Spence, Kay, McFadzean, Lewington (c); Potter, Carruthers (Poyet 85); Baker, Hall (Reeves 70), Murphy (Powell 78); Maynard.
Unused subs: Cropper, Hodson, Bowditch, Gallagher.
Goals: Baker (25), Maynard (50).
Attendance: 11,422 (2,264 Sheffield Wednesday fans).
Referee: Darren Deadman.
