MK Dons pick up another point as Peterborough stalemate continues winless run

MK Dons remain winless in the new season as they played out a 1-1 draw with Peterborough United at Stadium MK.

Aaron Collins had put the home side in front in the first half, but Posh took a late equaliser when a cross by Chris Conn-Clarke eluded everyone and went straight in.

The Dons remain without a win in their opening phase of the league season, having registered 5 draws in their opening 6 outings of the new campaign.

Having drawn with Wycombe in their last outing, the Dons attempted to get back to winning ways with a meeting against their long-running rivals Peterborough, who had just a single win from their opening 5 outings of the new League One campaign.

There were some big changes for the Dons, as boss Paul Warne opted to pivot to a back four-based system and handed a start to new goalkeeper Will Dennis.

Peterborough had started fairly comfortably but it was the Dons with the first major opportunity, as a through-pass released Sam Nombe and the striker had an effort deflected wide.

Dennis then had to bail himself out after making an error. The Dons keeper had come out to meet a long ball over the top only to get caught outside his box. However, Owura Edwards couldn’t get the shot first time and Harry Leonard’s eventual shot would be tipped wide by the ex-Bournemouth keeper.

Posh then had another close one when Evan Weir got space in the box and the full-back’s shot was tipped wide by Dennis.

But having managed to keep those out, MK Dons then found themselves ahead just before the half-hour mark. Callum Paterson’s cross was sliced against his own bar by Weir and the Dons’ top scorer Collins struck once again with a rebound that went in via both posts.

Moments later, it was nearly 2-0 as a through pass released Dan Crowley and the midfielder was denied by Alex Bass in the Peterborough goal. Home skipper Alex Gilbey would also come close a few moments later, with his strike blocked and deflected wide.

Peterborough were booed off at half-time by the travelling supporters, and although they did improve after making 4 changes in the opening ten minutes of the second half, the visitors could’ve fallen further behind when a curling shot from the edge of the box by Collins was tipped wide by Bass.

The hosts then spurned a fine chance for a second goal. Peterborough gave the ball away and Nombe fed Crowley, who charged forward and was one-on-one with Bass only to drive his strike into the stands.

That could’ve proven immediately costly for the Dons, as a few moments later, Edwards popped up in the box and saw a snapshot hit the outside of the post on its way behind.

With a second goal not occurring, the Dons’ lead begun to look fragile and it would duly disappear with five minutes remaining. It seemed as though MK Dons had dealt with an initial ball into the box, but substitute Conn-Clarke got into position to float a second ball that duly missed everyone and went straight into the top corner to equalise for the visitors.

The only real chance either side created after that was blazed over by Curtis Nelson as MK Dons picked up another point in their quest for the win to truly ignite their season, and with a difficult-looking trip to arch rivals AFC Wimbledon looming next time out.

MK Dons: Dennis – Jones (Ekpiteta 61), Nelson, Goode, Bramall – Wintle, Crowley (Matete 74), Gilbey – Paterson, Nombe, Collins (Hepburn-Murphy 74)

Subs not used: MacGillivray, Barlaser, Campbell, Fullah

Goal: Collins (29)

Booked: Bramall, Gilbey

Peterborough: Bass – Dornelly, Feeney, Okagbue, Weir (Mills 52) – Kelly (Conn-Clarke 78), Woods (Khela 52) – Shofowoke (Ormerod 56), Jones (Ashfield 52), Edwards – Leonard

Subs not used: Ndi, Williams

Goal: Conn-Clarke (85)