Town defeated in final game of the normal season
Town: Dean Henderson, Joe Riley, Ben Godfrey, Mat Sadler, Omar Beckles, Shaun Whalley, Carlton Morris (Stefan Payne, 68), James Bolton, Jon Nolan (Max Lowe, 65), Abo Eisa (Alex Rodman, 68) and Aristote Nsiala.
Subs: Craig MacGillivray, Max Lowe, Lenell John-Lewis, Bryn Morris, Sam Jones, Alex Rodman and Stefan Payne.
Subs: Marcus Tavernier, Josh Tymon, Aiden Nesbitt, Ike Ugbo, Sam Nombe, David Kasumu and Alfie Jones.
Referee: Andy Haines
Assistants: David Plowright and Richard Barlett
Fourth Official: Paul Hobday
Attendance: 6516 (327)
Town fell to a defeat at the hands of MK Dons in the final game of the regular season. A second half penalty for Kieran Agard fired into the left corner of the goal gave the already relegated visitors the three points to take back home. Town had positive attacking spells during the game but couldn’t find an equaliser.
Team News: Town make six changes to the starting line up since the previous game against Blackpool. Dean Henderson is restored to the line up replacing Craig MacGillivray. At the back, Toto Nsiala and James Bolton return to the regular back four, Omar Beckles will return to left back following a stint at centre back. Ben Godfrey and Joe Riley will play in the middle of the park, replacing Bryn Morris and Sam Jones. On the wing, Shaun Whalley and Abo Eisa start ahead of Arthur Gnahoua and Alex Rodman.
First Half:
The first 10 minutes of the game went by with little goalmouth action. Both teams were battling for the ball in the middle of the park but neither side could calve out a clear-cut chance.
Town got off lucky midway through the half. Robbie Muirhead delivered in a free kick cross and Dean Henderson spilled the ball but Elliot Ward couldn’t tap home the rebound from three yards out.
Town had their first real chance with only 15 minutes of the half remaining, Shaun Whalley’s cross was met by James Bolton but the defender put the ball the wrong side of the post.
Abo Eisa was looking more and more dangerous as the game went on. The winger won his side a corner but Omar Beckles narrowly missed the target from Whalley’s delivery.
Eisa had another chance shortly before the end of regular time in the first half. Wieger Sietsma met Eisa’s shot and the MK Dons shot stopper parried the ball away from danger.
The half came to an end with both teams unable to break the deadlock in the hot Shropshire sun.
Second half:
Town looked dangerous from the off, Jon Nolan and Whalley were combining well and the winger let off a shot that was deflected out for a corner. Subsequently the corner lead to nothing and MK Dons cleared the ball.
The Shrews were the team in control and were having the majority of the possession with 15 minutes gone. Eisa was looking a continuous threat on the wing. He created a chance for Town when he fired in a hard, low cross into the box but Carlton Morris couldn’t reach the ball to make a connection.
MK Dons were awarded a penalty in the 62nd minute as Toto Nsiala brought down Kieran Agard just inside the box, the winger stepped up and put the ball past Henderson in the left corner which gave the visitors a one nil lead.
Jon Nolan was taken off for Max Lowe shortly after MK took the lead.
Just three minutes later in the 68th minute Town made a double substation. Carlton Morris and Abo Eisa were taken off and replaced by Stefan Payne and Alex Rodman respectively.
The next ten went by without either team challenging the oppositions half. Town were looking to create chances through the wings but MK stood firm and limited any deliveries into the box.
Town wee pushing hard for an equaliser and nearly got one 85th minute. Alex Rodman was through on goal and dispatched a curling shot, which nestled in the corner of the goal but the linesman called play back for offside.
The game ended one nil to the visitors and the already relegated side took home all three points back to Milton Keynes.