Match ends, MK Dons 2, Barnsley 0.
MK DonsMilton Keynes Dons2BarnsleyBarnsley0
MK Dons moved within three points of League One leaders Swindon as they beat struggling Barnsley at Stadium MK.
Dean Bowditch had an early chance but his powerful shot was cleared off the line by Ryan Williams.
Barnsley dominated after the break but Jean-Yves M'voto cleared Carl Baker's cross straight to Dele Alli, who slotted into the bottom corner.
Will Grigg picked up Jordan Spence's cross and rounded the goalkeeper to secure a second successive win.
MK Dons manager Karl Robinson told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"We had a game plan today, we knew how difficult they would make the first half. You've got to be patient. We had a game plan in the second half, we knew we could do something special.
"We've got a big game in mind on Tuesday against Scunthorpe. We know they've not played today.
"We've got an awful lot of games coming up. I thought we were very dominant in the game. From a tactical perspective I was happy.
"If we want to be successful we need to make sure we've got the right attitude. If we can put in the same effort [as Cambridge in their 0-0 draw against Manchester United in the FA Cup], coupled with that ability we've got, I think we will be a very difficult team to break down and beat."
Barnsley manager Danny Wilson told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"Again, it's the first goal that changes the whole complexion of the game. Leading up to the goal it was arguably our best period of the game.
"In the first half I thought we dealt with everything fairly comfortably. We counter-attacked well at times, although we didn't make the most of those situations.
"In the second half we came out well, then there is one ball that is headed out of the box and we are not first to the ball and it goes into the bottom corner.
"That is the difference in the game and they obviously got their confidence up."
Line-ups
MK Dons
Formation 4-5-1
- 1Martin
- 12Spence
- 5McFadzean
- 6Kay
- 3Lewington
- 17PowellSubstituted forColeat 65'minutes
- 8Potter
- 14Alli
- 9BowditchSubstituted forClarke-Harrisat 65'minutes
- 13BakerSubstituted forGreenat 75'minutes
- 11Grigg
Substitutes
- 2Hodson
- 7Green
- 16McLoughlin
- 18Baldock
- 22Carruthers
- 23Clarke-Harris
- 28Cole
Barnsley
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Turnbull
- 22Williams
- 5Nyatanga
- 15Mvoto
- 20Smith
- 42KiwomyaSubstituted forOatesat 70'minutes
- 4BerrySubstituted forScowenat 79'minutes
- 36PearsonBooked at 56mins
- 8Hourihane
- 37LalkovicSubstituted forPhenixat 82'minutes
- 41Waring
Substitutes
- 7Scowen
- 12Davies
- 14Digby
- 16Ramage
- 18Oates
- 25Phenix
- 33Lita
- Referee:
- Chris Kavanagh
- Attendance:
- 8,310
Match Stats
Home TeamMK DonsAway TeamBarnsley
- Possession
- Home56%
- Away44%
- Shots
- Home19
- Away4
- Shots on Target
- Home8
- Away1
- Corners
- Home10
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, MK Dons 2, Barnsley 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. Danny Green (MK Dons) right footed shot from long range on the right is too high.
Post update
Foul by Dele Alli (MK Dons).
Post update
George Waring (Barnsley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt saved. Devante Cole (MK Dons) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Post update
Corner, MK Dons. Conceded by Lewin Nyatanga.
Post update
Jonson Clarke-Harris (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Lewin Nyatanga (Barnsley).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Danny Green (MK Dons) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt missed. William Grigg (MK Dons) right footed shot from very close range is close, but misses to the left.
Substitution
Substitution, Barnsley. Michael Phenix replaces Milan Lalkovic.
Post update
Corner, Barnsley. Conceded by Jordan Spence.
Post update
Attempt saved. William Grigg (MK Dons) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner.
Substitution
Substitution, Barnsley. Josh Scowen replaces Luke Berry.
Post update
Kyle McFadzean (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Milan Lalkovic (Barnsley).
Post update
Foul by Jonson Clarke-Harris (MK Dons).
Post update
Lewin Nyatanga (Barnsley) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Substitution, MK Dons. Danny Green replaces Carl Baker.
