Graham Turner's thoughts after the 2-2 draw with MK Dons
By Matt Johnson
Town gaffer Graham Turner admitted his “bitter disappointment” after MK Dons snatched an injury time equaliser to prevent his Town side winning back to back games for the first time this season.
After a lacklustre first half in which the Dons took the lead late on, the Shrews exploded into life after the break to hit two goals in seven minutes through the returning Luke Rodgers and a rejuvenated Mark Wright. The points looked to be safe and sound, but four minutes into added time, Dean Bowditch popped up to break Salopian hearts.
“We should’ve taken all three points,” said Turner. “I think we had a terrific second half and it’s once again a case of dropping points when we shouldn’t have done.
“I couldn’t have asked for any more effort from the players. They worked tremendously hard against a good team and always looked a threat in the second half - It’s an absolute travesty that we haven’t taken all the points.
“The one consolation, the one bright spark, is that we played well. We passed the ball well and we were getting better movement again. You can see the confidence starting to come back into the team and that is vital for the matches ahead.”
A first goal in seven years in a Town shirt for Luke Rodgers sparked the fans into ecstasy, but Turner was more impressed with the way he has linked up with Marvin Morgan since re-signing for the club.
“I’m pleased that Luke got off the mark. Him and Marvin have worked ever so well together again and it could be the basis for us to start getting out of trouble.
“There’s some good movement off the ball. They’re both willing to put in a shift when the opposition have got it. The way MK play, it was more that we had to be a little bit reserved in some of the ways in which we played, they pick you off otherwise.
“I thought we contained them in the main fairly well and the disappointment is we haven’t come away with all three points.”
With a huge ‘basement battle’ at Oldham on Saturday and the loan deadline on Thursday, Graham confessed to having a busy week ahead of him as he looks to bolster his side with last minute additions heading into the busy Christmas schedule.
“I understand that they [Oldham] won tonight, so we know what to expect. It’s a test of character. We’ve got to recover quickly, but the lads have worked tremendously hard tonight, but we will do again and we’ll be ready for Oldham.
“There will be plenty of effort [to bring players in]. Whether anything materialises, I don’t know. We’ve been working on it for some time now and that will continue, so if we can bring somebody in before Thursday’s deadline, then we will do.”
Carlisle are next up at home on Sat Dec 15, 3pm k/o. Secure your seats early here