MK Dons 0 Rochdale 1

Against all the odds 10 man Dale survived a second half onslaught to add another notable scalp to their away day belt.

With Nathan Stanton being dismissed inside the first15 minutes for over disputing a penalty that never was the remaining players dug in. Sam Russell saved the penalty to prove that there is justice in football and after "Captain Fantastic" Gary Jones gave his side the lead on 33 minutes everyone in a yellow shirt defended that lead as if their very lives depended on it.

There was little or no goal action in the opening minutes until Simon Ramsden cleared an effort off the line up and when the ball wasn't cleared referee Thorpe who had a shocker throughout fell, hook line and sinker for the theatrics of Dean Lewington. On first viewing it certainly appeared that the Dons full back had made a bit of a meal of a Stanton challenge. On 2nd viewing, in the press room after the game ,sequential photographs clearly proved that Stanton had moved his leg out of the way and had both feet firmly on the ground when Lewington launched himself into a dive of Olympian standards. If they care to look at the evidence it is hard to say who would be more embarrassed referee Thorpe for his decision or Lewington for his unsporting act.



Stanton was obviously beside himself at the incident and received a first yellow card for his complaints quickly followed by a second one for further comments that he made.

It might have proved to be a very trying afternoon had not San Russell then flung himself to his left to keep out the subsequent spot kick from home skipper and leading score Keith Andrews.

Worse was to follow for Andrews as on 29 minutes as he missed from close rangewhen it appeared easier to score, after being set up by Jemal Johnson.

The games only goal came on 33 minutes and what a good one it was. Rene Howe was twice involved in a patient move holding the ball well before feeding Jones. The Dale skipper then released Kallum Higginbotham and after beating Drissa Diallo the youngster might have shot from a tight angle but opted instead to look up and roll a perfect ball across the six yard box which Jones, racing in, gleefully rammed home.



Either side of the break John Doolan hit a terrific 35 yard free kick that was grabbed after a little juggling by the home keeper and Kallum Higginbotham broke away and fired a shot across the face of goal but in fairness to the home side they threw the kitchen sink and every utensil that they could lay their hands at the Dale penalty area in the second half . Keith Hills side defended resolutely though and Rory McArdle and his fellow defenders continued to repel them but not witnout a few alarms

Chances came and went as regular intervals as Aaron Wilbraham saw his 65th minute header strike an upright and following up defender Sean O Hanlon blazed over with the goal at his mercy. On 76 minutes Russell produced a stunning reflex save to somehow keep out a Kevin Gallen header and on 80 minutes Lewington blazed over from 15 yards.

Play was stopped on 80 minutes as the sprinkler system decided to turn itself on but after a two minute respite the pressure mounted again.

By now the home side had thrown 2 big defenders up front alongside 3 strikers and one of them SEan O Hanlon must have thought that he had snatched a point with a towering header but young Higginbotham was on hand to head it off the line.

There were many an anxious moment especially when referee Thorpe decided to add on 5 minutes and play 6 but the unshakeable rearguard hung on to register another fine victory.

How vital will these 3 points prove to be come May?

Next stop Chester on Tuesday. Be there

Milton Keynes Dons: Gueret, Lewington, O'Hanlon, Swailes, Diallo, Dyer, Andrews (Miles 82), Navarro, Wright, Wilbraham (Gallen 63), Johnson (Carbon 90).
Subs Not Used: Abbey, Hadfield.

Rochdale: Russell, Kennedy, McArdle, Ramsden, Stanton, Perkins, Jones, Doolan, Howe (Thompson 68), Higginbotham (Rundle 86), Le Fondre (Holness 16).
Subs Not Used: Spencer, Muirhead.