MK DONS 1 LEYTON ORIENT 0
Orient boss Geriant Willams described Saturday’s match as ‘one of the worst of the season’ whereas Paul Ince was just happy to see his side win.
The Dons’ Family Fun Day may not have had the entertainment Williams would have liked but Mark Carrington’s first-half header was the only moment that mattered to 14,000-plus supporters at stadiummk.
Shoot-shy O’s only came to life in the final ten minutes, at which point the Dons could have been out of reach.
Ince recalled Carrington and Mark Randall, for the injured Stephen Gleeson and Andros Townsend who was recalled to Spurs, and neither did their chances any harm with strong performances in midfield.
It meant Luke Chadwick shuffled along to the left and he proved a nuisance all afternoon for the O’s.
The break through came on the 31st minute when Carrington’s golden touch continued as he headed Aaron Wilbraham’s cross past Jamie Jones, for his third goal in as many games.
Chadwick should have doubled the lead in the second half but shot straight at ‘keeper Jones after breaking down the flank.
Dons had two decent penalty appeals turned down, a handball against Sean Thornton and a foul on Jermaine Easter, which could have proved vital had Willy Gueret not been on his toes late on to save James Scowcroft’s thunderous effort.
Ince said: “I thought we were by far the better side and Willy only had one save to make.
“At this time of the season you’ve got to be happy with getting a result and 1-0 is a great result to have. We had to make our blocks and throw our heads in, so the spirit was certainly there.”