Full TimeSecond Half ends, Burton Albion 0, MK Dons 0.Post updateAttempt missed. Dawson Devoy (MK Dons) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Conor McGrand.Post updateAttempt blocked. Jonathan Leko (MK Dons) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sullay Kaikai.
MK Dons have been relegated to League Two after their failure to beat mid-table Burton Albion on the final day of the season, coupled with Cambridge United’s victory over Forest Green Rovers, saw them drop into the relegation places. Despite dominating their hosts and having 31 attempts on goal, many of which came in a breathless final 20 minutes at the Pirelli Stadium, they failed to find the goal which would have been good enough to preserve their third-tier status. With Accrington all but relegated because of their vastly inferior goal difference and their opponents Oxford as good as safe, Dons were realistically battling it out with Cambridge United and Morecambe to remain in the division. Morecambe’s defeat away against Exeter City ensured their relegation and sees Dons join them after Cambridge eased to an expected victory over already doomed Forest Green.
Dons should have been celebrating their survival but missed countless opportunities, most notably when substitute Dawson Devoy crashed a shot off the left-hand post and the Brewers somehow survived an almighty injury-time goalmouth scramble. Mark Jackson’s Dons side piled forward throughout but a lack of composure and an inspired display from keeper Craig MacGillivray kept them out. The visitors had the better early chances in a nervy first half, shooting wide on several occasions including when Paris Maghoma and Conor Grant both failed to hit the target when well placed. Jonathan Leko finally got an effort on goal but was denied by the outstretched leg of MacGillivray, who then pulled off an excellent save to keep out Sullay Kaikai’s curling effort.
From the edge of the Championship to the depths of League Two, MK Dons’ demise this season has been alarming. After missing automatic promotion to the second tier by one point and losing in the play-offs last season, hopes would have been high of another tilt at the Championship this term. Chairman Pete Winkelman’s pledge to “renew their focus” on promotion amplified those expectations but cracks in that plan soon showed. The loss of key players, including Scott Twine, Conor Coventry and Harry Darling, coupled with an underwhelming return from new recruits, saw the club get off to a poor start – losing their first three games – from which they never recovered. After only one win in 11 and with the Dons next to bottom, head coach Liam Manning was sacked after 16 months in charge. Former Leeds coach Mark Jackson came in with the club again giving a head coach their first senior management job and, although he won his first game against Forest Green, a run of two further wins in 13 games suggested a quick fix to their struggles was unlikely. However, three wins on the spin in March put them four points clear of the drop zone and brought renewed hope of an escape only for familiar frailty to return. The surrendering of a 4-1 lead with 17 minutes left to only draw with Barnsley left them needing to win on the final day to guarantee survival – a feat that was ultimately beyond them.