Though mathematically they couldn’t have been relegated today, a loss for Karl Robinson’s MK Dons today would have all but sealed their immediate return to League One. Fortunately for them, they were visiting a ground where their last four results had all been draws, and that theme continued as they played out a 1-1 draw with Preston North End. Though not the most enthralling match, it certainly brings up some key talking points.
1. The Cody Cropper Incident
Since David Martin’s season was ruled over due to a fractured hand, USA international Cody Cropper has stepped in between the sticks and fast become a favourite amongst the MK Dons fans. His longest stint in goal started when he came on as a substitute away at Hull City back in mid-March, and in that time he has produced some unbelievable saves.
This particular incident though wouldn’t have gone down so well though, as he received a straight red card for bringing down Eoin Doyle after the away side had already used their three changes. What happened next, though, will live long in the memory should the Dons stay up…
2. Revell The Hero
Had the Dons not used all three of their changes, it would’ve been the perfect opportunity for young goalkeeper Charlie Burns to come on, but he couldn’t after Jonny Williams, Carl Baker and Alex Revell had all entered the fray before him. This meant that it was Revell, the 6″2′ striker, who donned the gloves to try to deny Joe Garner. And he did just that. He dived high to his left to keep the scores locked at 1-1.
3. Who Goes In Now?
Should the Dons fail in an attempt to have Cropper’s red card rescinded, the position will be taken up by youngster Charlie Burns. The 20-year-old has made just one appearance for the club, coming on as a substitute for David Martin in a 3-1 defeat to Leyton Orient back in May 2014.
With Martin out for the rest of the season, Burns will fill in for the game against Sheffield Wednesday at the very minimum, though he could also feature against Brentford and Ipswich, with Cropper being able to return for the final game of the season against Nottingham Forest. Should he play well and keep the Dons up, he may just keep his place in the side.
4. Maynard Scores At last
When it was announced that Nicky Maynard had been secured by the club, the fans thought they had struck gold. They thought they had finally been treated to a Championship-proven player who could do enough to keep them up. What he’s actually provided has been much the opposite.
Despite being second in the club’s scoring list this season, he has shown on numerous occasions that he is far from the player he once was, at least at Championship level. Just six goals this season, one of which could still be argued not to be his, have seen him fall out of favour with a lot of the fans, but today he scored his first goal since the 9th of January to secure a point for a side in desperate need of goals.
5. Relegation Still On The Cards
Had Maynard not scored, or had Revell not saved that penalty, and Rotherham had won their game at home to Forest, that would have meant the Dons could only survive on goal difference. Fortunately, the Millers could only play out a stalemate at the New York Stadium, meaning the gap between them and MK Dons remains nine points with four games to go.
That means a final day showdown at home to Forest could decide the season for the Dons, if they also win their three games previous to that and hope that Rotherham pick up no more points. It means that they live to fight another day as they now cannot be relegated in their midweek fixture against Sheffield Wednesday. However, if they lose to the Owls and to Brentford at home next Saturday, it will be direct relegation back to League One.
