Doncaster Rovers: MK defeat leaves Rovers sore: Dickov

All the goals for Karl Robinson’s League One high-fliers arrived after the break, with a freak Dean Bowditch opener, when a clearance hit his head and looped in, giving the home side a fortuitous lead on 66 minutes.

Carl Baker netted a brace before the end to give MK a comfortable win, but Rovers manager Dickov insisted he was pleased with many aspects of his side’s performance and again earmarked teenage defender Mitchell Lund for praise - labelling his display as ‘outstanding’ following on from his impressive weekend bow.

And despite Rovers’ having now won just once in the past six games and twice in 11 matches since the start of March, Dickov took solace with his side’s efforts and felt the latest defeat was harsh.

Dickov, whose mid-tablers visit Notts County on Saturday before wrapping up the campaign at home to neighbours Scunthorpe United on Sunday week, added: “We feel slightly aggrieved.

“At 0-0 at half-time, I thought we could be better on the break with our quality and in the first 15 minutes of the second half, we nullifed anything they could throw at us and their goalkeeper arguably made the two best saves of the game.

“Then they got a completely freak goal which completely changes the game. But the lads did really well and when they actually got the first goal, I thought we were on top.

“I will probably get accused of being stupid and naive and everything else, but I think we competed really well against them.

“Tactically, the pllayers did their jobs did well. But goals change games and I thought their first goal really changed the game.