L1: MK Dons 3 Yeovil 2

It's tough at the bottom - match report and comment by Cruncher

The bitter disappointment of Saturday's late throwaway needed a Yeovil side with character and grit tonight at Milton Keynes. And that is indeed the response the Glovers gave, with a decent performance thrown in. Unfortunately, all it brought in the end was, er, bitter disappointment.

On balance of the ninety minutes, Yeovil deserved at least a draw against a team unbeaten in the League at home. The Dons had only dropped four out of twenty-one available home points while conceding just three goals. If the game had been marked by judges holding up cards for style and content Yeovil probably would have been the narrow winners. Only it wasn't. It was back to at least matching their opponents in all departments but with a few key moments that made all the difference, a theme that defined much of our League One effort last season and has cost us a load of points already this year.

Yeovil's opener by Dean Bowditch reflected the visitors being the more threatening, a well-taken goal that Nathan Jones's precise through-ball deserved. The team continued to perform well, a flowing series of moves ended with Gavin Williams chipping just over, while at the other end a glancing Sam Baldock header had John Sullivan admirably palming clear. The Dons reply though when it came was a soft one to let in - Dean Lewington was as unchallenged as a six-footer in an Under-10s game to pop in an easy header from a corner. I think it was Luke Ayling and Owain Tudur Jones who were guilty of being static as Lewington leapt, with Sullivan perhaps sightly drawn too near to his near post. Yeovil got back into their stride, Ayling surged forward on a determined and skilful run that lifted the away crowd and Bowditch 's left-foot stinger tested Stuart Searle. After the break the Dons had a forceful spell that got them their second goal. A good strike by Jemal Johnson, but far too easy how Sam Baldock carved out the inviting opportunity from a cut-back on the right flank, coupled with Yeovil histrionics claiming that the ref had missed something.

For the few minutes that followed, there was a hint that the home side might overrun their visitors. Even the home crowd at last sounded like a home crowd, but Yeovil battled through it and soon were creating chances again, and the Dons support returned to cautious mode. Yeovil very much still in the game, but not quite breaking through.

On a run high up the right-side, Ayling was met by a thumping tackle by Lewington, sending the ball into the stand while simultaneously appearing to catch Ayling's ribs. I can't be at all sure it was intentional, but it was certainly effective as Ayling struggled even to take the throw-in, and broke down immediately afterwards. Andy Welsh came on, Jean-Paul Kalala moved to right-back. In a moment, the Glovers were level, Paul Huntington and Adam Virgo were both forward and it was Virgo who took his chance inside the box to shoot in off the post. 2-2, and deserved, and now a pulsating finish to the game.

Sam Williams who had done his usual to a good standard all night made way for Andy Williams, who was put clear to cut in from the right side of the area. A strong run bearing down on goal had the away support hoping with baited breath - unfortunately it was power without accuracy as Williams found Searle and not the back of the net. Bowditch went off for Luke Freeman, and it seemed a draw was the main hope now.

Only that too was scuppered, keeping to the miserable pattern we have come to expect. It was a long way up the pitch, but my first thought was that there was daylight between Sam Baldock and the covering tackle. Could be wrong, the replay should tell. Anyway, the ref was sure and penalty to the Dons. Peter Leven down the middle as Sullivan guessed to his right and 3-2, three minutes to go, here we go again. Hard on the keeper who had made a decent return, and hard on the overall effort, but this is League One and we know to expect its consistent message that it won't forgive your errors, or, er, the funny ways of referees.

Previously Bowditch had had a strong penalty appeal turned down when spinning clear of his man, but the decision was that he had offended. Presumably it he wasn't for diving or he would have been booked, so it must have been for pulling his man back - only the whistle seemed to be delayed until he had got clear of his marker. My instinct was that he had been fouled in the area by the last man, and the ref bottled it, deciding to blow against Bowditch if he got clear. That's how I saw it as it happened, I don't think I was clouding my view with wishful thinking. The exact same thing happened minutes later, but this time in a deeper position outside the box.

Most players would get sevens with a couple a bit better, for me the best player on the night was Luke Ayling, although his defensive work was frail for the first MK goal. He does have all-round qualities and is becoming stronger and stronger going forward. I'd be quite sure that he'd be a better midfielder now too after having this stint at right-back. Andy Williams was by some distance the most effective of the subs. Virgo was up the front near the end. I think a back-up for Sam Williams is long overdue; squad constraints mean he was taken off presumably to protect him for the next game, but I feel sure his role is needed for the ninety minutes.

A good performance, overall a bit unlucky but it is still the lapses that are so costly. This might well reflect our ever-weakening financial clout, but I feel the management team and the men on the pitch deserve our complete support. I admired the way they picked themselves up after the weekend, just sort out the lapses! Terry Skiverton will need to decide if it's carrot or stick that is needed - we shall see.

As for Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday, we should be too strong for them but we all know that doesn't mean we will be. I have a hunch that wingers and pace might have a key part to play, but we'll see.

Cruncher