Aaron Downes was recalled to the starting line-up in place of the injured Steve Blatherwick at the National Hockey Stadium this afternoon. Adam Smith came in to a line-up that appeared to be starting with only The Chief as a recognised striker, although both Mark DeBolla and Tcham N'Toya made the bench.
Early exchanges confirmed the idea that Smith and Allott would have midfield duties to attend to, but would push up to support Allison at every opportunity. Within four minutes MK were awarded a dodgy-looking penalty after an Aaron Downes backpass was under-hit: Muggs came out with the intention, it seemed, of making the best of a bad job by conceding an indirect free-kick for picking it up but Small went down under a challenge that existed rather more in his imagination than on the football pitch. Smart converted the kick.
MK's first corner on 6 was played short but came to nothing. Up at the other end Baker was forced to save Allott's snap shot from close in after Smith did well with a run and cross. MK fullback Edds was memorably given the run-around by JCR at our place in September and there were early signs that he could expect more of the same from the lively Smith. Edds stood off Smith on 12 and allowed the youngster a shot that Baker had to get down to. Allison's knock-down on 15 fell to Evatt, but the high bounce prevented Chesterfield's skipper from getting an effort on target.
An overhit pass by Smith on 19 left Nicholson unable to prevent MK's second corner: Chorley was left with a free header but succeeded only in picking out a grateful Carl Muggleton. Niven's shot from around 20 yards surprised Baker a little, but sailed a couple of yards over. Allison went down under a Lewington challenge on 21 and Downes looked to get on the end of the free kick, but his header went over. The Spireites won their first corner on 23 (equalling the number won in each of their last two games!) and Nicholson's cross found Evatt, who again put it just over, with the goal rather at his mercy thanks to poor defending on MK's part.
Bailey's early cross on 27 produced a shot from Smith that was deflected behind for another corner. Baker pulled the kick out of the air as Downes shaped to head goalwards. But for the early penalty, Chesterfield were doing little wrong with a strengthening wind behind them, often pinning MK back into their own half. Lewington did enough to shepherd the ball back as Allott chased Allison's knock-through on 32.
As the rain began to lash down Allison knocked on to Allott: it came back to Allison after the keeper lost it and his header was cleared off the line for another corner. Baker had to have two bites at Hudson's 42nd minute shot before controlling it. Evatt had the ball in the net on 43 but the flag was up early and fairly for offside.
Halftime: 1-0 to them.
Chesterfield had perhaps their most effective first half away so far this season, but still trailed. Facing the tempest in Act Two, the extra man in midfield would help the Spireites with plans to play the ball forward. MK looked to press from the kick off but Nicholson's foul on McLeod stopped that; from the free kick Downes barged Smart to the floor in the box, but no penalty was given when it might have been. Certainly, it was more of a pen than the one they scored from! Bailey broke up Smart's move on the edge of his own box and went away with the ball on 48; Evatt helped carry the ball forward and get it back out to Bailey. His perfect cross allowed Allott a goalbound shot that Baker saved with is feet.
Evatt again was instrumental in setting up a chance on 51: Clingan and Niven took the ball on and found Allott, whose cross was met by Evatt, the starter of the move. His header went narrowly wide.
Edds got past three defenders on 54 but found Clingan stopping him; the ball broke and Niven went down under a poor challenge from Mitchell. Mitchell went into the book for it. Smart stood up to prevent the kick being taken and was promptly booked himself. The ball was marched forward ten yards - useful, in these conditions!
Smart robbed Downes on 56 and found Small but the defence closed ranks and broke up the danger. With the howling gale and rain persisting, Chesterfield appeared to play with more control and purpose in it; much of what MK tried was sumptuously overhit. Still, possession could not be converted into the one golden chance that would bring us level. Smart pulled Nicholson back on 64 and remained unpunished, but Shinner was yellow-carded a minute later for a foul. Evatt escaped punishment after obstructing Small on 68 as MK began to take their time with free kicks.
Smart won a corner off Downes on 69 but the kick was a shocker and Chesterfield were given a free kick for pushing in the box. While the Spireites had not played badly, the time was approaching for Roy Mac to try a different approach with substitutions. The game degenerated into a scrappy affair that seemed to suit MK more than us.Allott won a corner on 74. Nicholson's kick was cleared by Lewington but Clingan returned it - Chorley's high kick went straight up in the air and was headed out by Palmer, over his own bar for another corner. Chorley's clearance was better this time. MK's Smith got Smart away but his shot was a poor one.
Substitutions came in a flurry. Tcham replaced The Chief on 78, and DeBolla came on for Niven. MK's Puncheon came on for McLeod. With the wind in his favour Rizzo tried a long shot but it sailed wide. Smith got away on 80 but his cross eluded DeBolla; Nicholson returned it but couldn't find N'Toya. Edds fouled the twisting Smith on 82: Nicholson launched one into the wind and, as the defence panicked, Chorley nodded it into the path of EVATT, who came in to crash the ball home for the 84th minute equaliser.
Bailey got forward and found Tcham, who beat one but lost his footing. Hudson picked it up, though, but the offside flag went up unjustly against DeBolla. The Spireites pressed in search of the winner as the game approached its final whistle. MK won a corner from Downes' tackle on Smart on 89: Rizzo's corner was punched away by Muggleton, but the wind caught it and took it out for another corner. Muggs again got his fists to it.
Oyedele replaced the dangerous Rizzo on 90. There was drama at the death: Small was presented with a fantastic chance from Smart's flick on but Muggleton came out to smother the ball to keep a well-deserved point in the Spireites' bank.
SB
MATCH FACTS:
MK Dons 1 Chesterfield 1
Goal Attempts 3:9 Goal Attempts
On Target 1:5 On Target
Crosses -:1 Crosses
Corners 4:5 Corners
Offside 7:3 Offside
Fouls 15:9 Fouls
Free kicks 12:22 Free kicks
Yellow cards 2:1 Yellow cards
% Possession 47:53 Possession %
Attendance: 4214 (527 away fans).
