Burton Albion 0-0 Milton Keynes Dons: Dons drop out of League One after draw with Brewers
- Published
- comments
Warren O'Hora of MK Dons lets his frustration show as one of 31 attempts at goal goes begging
MK Dons have been relegated to League Two as their failure to beat mid-table Burton Albion, coupled with Cambridge United's victory over Forest Green Rovers, saw them drop into the relegation places on the final day of the season.
Dons dominated their hosts, bossing possession and having 31 attempts on goal, many of which came in a breathless final 20 minutes at the Pirelli Stadium.
But a combination of wayward finishing, bad luck and some desperate defending saw them fail to find the goal which would have been good enough to preserve their third-tier status.
With Accrington all but relegated because of their vastly inferior goal difference and their opponents Oxford as good as safe, Dons were realistically battling it out with Cambridge and Morecambe to remain in the division.
Morecambe's defeat away against Exeter City ensured their relegation and sees Dons join them after Cambridge eased to an expected victory over already doomed Forest Green.
Dons should have been celebrating their survival but missed countless opportunities, most notably when substitute Dawson Devoy crashed a shot off the left-hand post and the Brewers somehow survived an almighty injury-time goalmouth scramble.
Mark Jackson's Dons side piled forward throughout but a lack of composure and an inspired display from keeper Craig MacGillivray kept them out.
The visitors had the better early chances in a nervy first half, shooting wide on several occasions including when Paris Maghoma and Conor Grant both failed to hit the target when well placed.
Jonathan Leko finally got an effort on goal but was denied by the outstretched leg of MacGillivray, who then pulled off an excellent save to keep out Sullay Kaikai's curling effort.
John Brayford and Mark Helm both shot straight at keeper Jamie Cumming as Burton threatened.
But the visitors continued to have the upper hand with Zac Ashworth making a crucial block to deny Leko as time ticked by, before substitute Devoy went even closer when his shot thumped the post late on.
From the edge of the Championship to the depths of League Two
By any stretch, MK Dons' demise this season has been alarming.
After missing automatic promotion to the second tier by one point and losing in the play-offs last season, hopes would have been high of another tilt at the Championship this term.
Chairman Pete Winkelman's pledge to "renew their focus" on promotion amplified those expectations but cracks in that plan soon showed.
The loss of key players, including Scott Twine, Conor Coventry and Harry Darling, coupled with an underwhelming return from new recruits, saw the club get off to a poor start - losing their first three games - from which they never recovered.
After only one win in 11 and with the Dons next to bottom, head coach Liam Manning was sacked after 16 months in charge.
Former Leeds coach Mark Jackson came in with the club again giving a head coach their first senior management job and, although he won his first game against Forest Green, a run of two further wins in 13 games suggested a quick fix to their struggles was unlikely.
However, three wins on the spin in March put them four points clear of the drop zone and brought renewed hope of an escape only for familiar frailty to return.
The surrendering of a 4-1 lead with 17 minutes left to only draw with Barnsley left them needing to win on the final day to guarantee survival - a feat that was ultimately beyond them.
MK Dons boss Mark Jackson told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"We are extremely down and gutted. Words can't really describe how we all feel at the minute. It's been a really disappointing end to the season.
"We knew we had to win the game and the players left everything out on the pitch; I couldn't ask any more from the group of players who went out there but ultimately we couldn't get it over the line.
"The supporters pushed us as much as they could and supported us really well.
"We knew it was in our hands and wanted to go forward. We knew it was a fine margin of being gung-ho and we were solid at the back and gave ourselves the platform.
"We had to push forward and ask questions and we did but we couldn't break through. Burton defended really well and It's so heart-breaking that we couldn't get it over the line.
"I feel for all the fans; they really pushed us on and have been great since I came here."