Match ends, MK Dons 0, Bristol City 0.
MK DonsMilton Keynes Dons0Bristol CityBristol City0
MK Dons failed to close the gap on leaders Bristol City as the promotion-chasing pair shared a goalless draw.
A point was enough to keep City top of the table, and they earned it with an organised defensive display.
Home goalkeeper David Martin had to make a sharp double save in the first half though, denying Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and then Joe Bryan.
Dele Alli almost snatched victory for the home side late on, but saw his 20-yard shot fizz wide.
| Bristol City's mean defence |
|---|
| Steve Cotterill's side are still yet to concede a goal in League One in 2015. It is 42 days and 403 minutes of football since Cody McDonald scored for Gillingham in the Robins' 3-1 win at Priestfield in December. |
MK Dons also made loud claims for a penalty in the closing stages when Samir Carruthers's shot struck Luke Ayling on the arm, but in truth the home side, with boss Karl Robinson watching from the stand as he served the final game of a touchline ban, had lacked the creativity to break down the resilient visitors, who brought 5,109 travelling fans with them to Stadium MK.
The Dons had seen plenty of the ball in a high-tempo contest, but Steve Cotterill's men looked relatively untroubled and posed their own threat at times on the break.
But with Swindon winning at home to Barnsley, Robinson's side drop down to third - and while the draw ends City's five-game winning run in the league, they maintained their two-point lead over the hosts and have a game in hand.
Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill told BBC Radio Bristol:
"I think we could have won it and I think we could have had a penalty.
"Both teams defended really well and worked hard for their team-mates.
"All in all a draw was a fair result but I still think we could have nicked it today.
"There won't be many teams that come away to MK Dons and have the possession we had and the chances we had."
Line-ups
MK Dons
Formation 4-5-1
- 1Martin
- 12Spence
- 5McFadzeanBooked at 58mins
- 6Kay
- 3Lewington
- 13Baker
- 8Potter
- 14Alli
- 9BowditchSubstituted forCarruthersat 33'minutesBooked at 86mins
- 17PowellSubstituted forAndrewsat 72'minutes
- 11GriggSubstituted forColeat 89'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Hodson
- 7Green
- 16McLoughlin
- 21Andrews
- 22Carruthers
- 23Clarke-Harris
- 28Cole
Bristol City
Formation 3-5-2
- 1Fielding
- 22AylingBooked at 72mins
- 4Flint
- 3Williams
- 2Little
- 8Elliott
- 7Smith
- 15Freeman
- 23BryanBooked at 89mins
- 9SmithSubstituted forWilbrahamat 73'minutes
- 10Emmanuel-ThomasSubstituted forAgardat 90+1'minutes
Substitutes
- 11Wagstaff
- 12Saville
- 13Richards
- 17Cunningham
- 18Wilbraham
- 19Agard
- 21Pack
- Referee:
- Craig Pawson
- Attendance:
- 15,642
Match Stats
Home TeamMK DonsAway TeamBristol City
- Possession
- Home53%
- Away47%
- Shots
- Home16
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away4
- Corners
- Home9
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away17
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, MK Dons 0, Bristol City 0.
Post update
Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by Jordan Spence.
Post update
Foul by Jordan Spence (MK Dons).
Post update
Aaron Wilbraham (Bristol City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Bristol City. Kieran Agard replaces Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.
Post update
Attempt missed. Dele Alli (MK Dons) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Booking
Joe Bryan (Bristol City) is shown the yellow card.
Substitution
Substitution, MK Dons. Devante Cole replaces William Grigg.
Post update
Foul by Joe Bryan (Bristol City).
Booking
Samir Carruthers (MK Dons) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Corner, MK Dons. Conceded by Luke Ayling.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Samir Carruthers (MK Dons) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt saved. William Grigg (MK Dons) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Post update
Hand ball by Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (Bristol City).
Post update
Kyle McFadzean (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Joe Bryan (Bristol City).
Post update
Attempt missed. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (Bristol City) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
Post update
Foul by William Grigg (MK Dons).
Post update
Aden Flint (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
