City are hardly over-awed by timewasting MK

By Nathan Jackson
April 4 2008

Lincoln City may have lost 2-1 but they weren't particularly outplayed by an MK Dons side that seemed to have virtually no intent on attacking as soon as they took an early lead. The visitors took the lead in the 2nd minute and put 10 men behind the ball straight away, rarely seeing City's half of the pitch before scoring an undeserved second 10 minutes after the break.

City got the game underway but Dany N'Guessan wasted an early chance as he casually ran towards the ball in a one-on-one situation. From the resulting situation came MK's opener as Mark Wright's shot was smoothered by Marriott and Carl Regan reacted to see his shot bobble over the line.

Ben Wright then got in a fantastic position on the left as he saw space to run into the box, but Dany N'Guessan's ball went miles in front of him and it was a wasted chance for City. Dodds forced a save at the near post following good work from Forrester.

Shane Clarke was the next to try his luck as his 25 yard over sailed over the bar before Sean O'Hanlon seemingly got injured out of nothing. He received treatment for several minutes before eventually going off for Gareth Edds. A rare MK Dons attack saw Wilbraham gain the visitors a corner, it was wasted as Regan pushed Beevers in the back and the Imps were given a free kick.

Danny Swailes headed a Dodds corner clear before Beevers failed to connect with a Croft cross. The defender then had to be alert as he prevented what would have been an undeserved second for MK from a Navarro cross. Neither side managed another chance before the whistle for half time.

Pembleton replaced Clarke at half time for City but it wasn't long before another MK Dons player was on the deck, this time it was Colin Cameron. Keith Andrews forced Marriott to tip a free kick out for a corner before Cameron was replaced by Johnson.

Lloyd Dyer escaped the defenders but sent his shot straight at Marriott, it wasn't long though until Jemal Johnson did what seems surprisingly easy these days, he beat Marriott at his near post from 25 yards out.

However, City got the goal they had deserved from the goal when Beevers' header was palmed to Wright by Gueret. The striker hit the bar and it bounced out but Wright pounced on the free ball and made it 2-1. N'Guessan won a corner for City but it was unsurprisingly not dangerous.

N'Guessan headed a free kick at Gueret despite having the freedom of Sincil Bank before Swailes headed over for the visitors. Frecklington shot well over from 25 yards before Keith Andrews was injured. Beevers headed a ball into Guerets arms before Forrester was replaced by Gary King.

Then came the best example of MK Don's time wasting tactics as the board was put up for Hadfield to come on for Wright. Wright was over the far side of the pitch but took nearly a minute to reach the other touchline, as soon as he arrived Paul Ince changed his mind about the substituion and it was cancelled. 2 minutes later and Hadfield did come on, but this time for Lloyd Dyer. Stallard came on for Dodds for City.

Croft hit an injury time free kick at the defence and the Imps couldn't find an equaliser from a game that had seen the Imps as arguably the better side.