MK Dons huffed and puffed in the second half, trying to find an opening goal. However, they failed to create any memorable chances, with the game ending 0-0.
Didn’t make a save the entire game due to Barrow’s extremely defensive setup. His long passes and goal kicks were very important in getting the Dons up the pitch. A standard solid performance.
Jon Mellish – 4
Mellish was fine defensively, not really being challenged in his own half. He found it extremely difficult to progress down the left side, repeatedly being dispossessed. Made a few wayward passes and was then hooked at half time.
Jack Sanders – 7
A relatively casual game at the back for Sanders, once again not being challenged. Dealt with some high balls very well and also managed to recover well on multiple occasions.
Curtis Nelson – 7
A strong presence in the backline, getting the ball out of harm’s way throughout the match. Nelson won his duels high up the pitch and acted as a good outlet for starting Dons attacks.
Marvin Ekpiteta – 7
Another reliable performance from Ekpiteta, very solid in all that he did. Back to his usual standard and nothing to complain about. Plenty of clearances and passes into the final third.
Gethin Jones – 7
Controlled the right side of the pitch extremely well for much of the game. Repeatedly beat players and put crosses into dangerous positions. A more proactive attack would have seen Jones‘ efforts rewarded.
Liam Kelly – 5
A lot of running around but nothing to show for it. Didn’t offer very much going forward and perhaps played too deep to impact the game.
Ben Wiles – 2
It is getting difficult to see what Wiles brings to this MK Dons side. Not involved defensively and not showing enough going forward. A few passes into the final third just doesn’t cut it.
Alex Gilbey – 4
Similarly to Wiles, just failed to have any positive impact on the Dons going forward. You cannot fault the effort of Gilbey, he was just not as impactful as he would have liked.
Callum Paterson – 3
Was getting lost in the penalty area, because of how crowded it was. Never dropped deeper to help out the attack. However, his midfield were completely absent, not providing him with enough service.
Aaron Collins – 5
Unlike Paterson, when he realised he was having little impact, he moved to find the ball. He didn’t wait for chances to come but took an active part in creating them. Was unable to get any clear-cut chances against a determined Barrow defence.
Aaron Nemane – 7
Came on at half time and completely changed the game. The Dons had absolutely no attacking threat in the first half, but Nemane’s speed and ability on the ball allowed him to get into fantastic positions and stretch the Barrow defence.
Daniel Crowley – 3
Came on with just over ten minutes to go and had no impact. Crowley was not involved in much attacking play, opting to pass backwards most of the time.
Joe Tomlinson – 7
Made a real difference after coming on. Much more direct and positive play from Tomlinson, using the width of the pitch to great effect.
Nathaniel Méndez-Laing – 6
Another impressive substitute performance. Méndez-Laing repeatedly beat his man out wide, delivering the ball into dangerous areas, but to no avail. Méndez-Laing’s impressive crossing accuracy caused issues for the Barrow defence.
Brought on in added time as a last throw of the dice. Showed some energy and willingness to get into dangerous positions but not given long enough to have an impact.
This was a disappointing performance and result for MK Dons who are now without a win in their last three games.
Subsequently, the Dons are second in the table, five points behind the leaders and only two points clear of the chasing pack.
The Dons travel to playoff chasing Oldham on Easter Monday, before a top of the table clash with Bromley the following Saturday.
Barrow remain in the bottom three but it’s a point in the right direction.
The Bluebirds host Chesterfield in their next fixture.
