MATCH REPORT: SWINDON TOWN 1-1 MK DONS

SWINDON TOWN left it late once again as a 94th minute Elijah Adebayo goal rescued a point for the Robins as both teams took an equal share of league points at The County Ground. TotalSport Swindon's Ryan Walker gives his match report as Swindon extended their unbeaten home run.

It took just four minutes between kick-off and the opening goal at The County Ground as MK Dons scored their sixth league goal of the season. 

Joe Walsh was found unmarked in the box from a Dean Lewington corner, and the centre-back was able to head past Vigouroux to take an early one-nil lead for the visitors in what was a highly contested first half of football. 

Once again conceding the first goal in a match at their home ground, Swindon attempted to get straight back into the game as Michael Doughty, Swindon’s top scorer this season, saw his header go just over the bar as Don’s goalkeeper Lee Nicholls was left scrambling. 

The game continued as it started and possession was frequently interchanged as both teams attempted to impose themselves on the match. 

Having taken an early lead, it was evident that Paul Tisdale had instructed his side to push for a second goal. Kieran Agard, the danger man for the visitors, running at Swindon’s backline nearly finding an opening before Sid Nelson slid in to make a crucial challenge. The first of many important tackles by the centre-back who continues to impress in a Swindon shirt.

With pace on the wings in Anderson and McGlashan, Swindon implemented a game plan to attack down the flanks. Direct running created openings for Phil Brown’s men but chances were left to go begging as Swindon’s crossing ability let them down with balls regularly sailing over everyone and out of play.

Settled into the match after a frantic start, MK Dons took advantage of their early goal and were able to sit back as Town went in search of their opener. Doughty combined well with his fellow attackers but a lack of accuracy in the final third left Swindon fans frustrated as chances went a miss.

Marc Richards shot in the 44th minute was Town’s best effort of the half after Keshi Anderson drove a low cross into the box, only for the striker to put his effort wide of the goal.

The half-time whistle blew just a minute later and Swindon would be left with the challenge of coming from behind once again as MK Dons remained comfortably in front.

MK Dons would get the second half underway and it would be the visitors who got the first chance of the second half. Alex Gilbey driving forward in the 46th minute firing a shot on target from 35 yards out which Vigouroux saved well.

Moments later it would be Swindon’s turn to attack as Richards was picked out well by Matty Taylor at the back post but his header back across goal was cleared for by a staunch Dons defence.

As the visitors went in search of their second goal of the game, Swindon went hunting for an equaliser. Phil Brown signalling his intent made a double substitution in the 57th minute bringing on Elijah Adebayo and Jak McCourt to add to the attack, as Smith and McGlashan made way.

New legs on the pitch resulted in a surge of energy and Swindon pushed on determined to make their mark on the match. Alzate playing on the left of a three-man midfield surged forward and was brought down what looked to be in the box but referee Trevor Kettle signalled a free kick that Taylor sent over the bar.

At the opposite end, the match leaders kept the Swindon defence on their toes as Robbie Simpson shot deflected off Agard to force Vigouroux into yet another big save down to his left as the score remained one-nil to the visitors.

Keshi Anderson, a danger all match, once again used his pace to pen back Don’s defence and was nearly rewarded with a goal, curling his shot just wide after another impressive run.

A feisty affair led to the Swindon fans finding their voice as a cauldron of noise was created inside The County Ground. And with the atmosphere rising in the stadium, the referee was met with boo’s from the crowd after rewarding MK with a free kick just on the edge of the Town box.

Dean Lewington would take and went so close to doubling his sides lead with a fantastic shot to the top left of Vigoroux’s goal, only for the Chilean international to make a stunning save to keep Swindon in with a chance. 

With the game entering its final moments of the match, Swindon seemed to have run out of ideas. Play became slow in the middle of the field and the opposition players could sense that their job was nearly done.

But in true Swindon fashion, the Robins players pushed on till the very last minute off the game. A long diagonal ball into the box dropped to substitute Elijah Adebayo who smashed his shot into the goal and past Nicholls to rescue a point for Swindon Town.

The full-time whistle blew just seconds later as Swindon Town extended their unbeaten home run in the league this season with both sides sharing the points from what was a fantastic match of football.