Dons leave it late again

MK Dons, aka Franchise FC, hit the Owls where it hurts for the second time this season with a late goal to deny Wednesday all three points. Back in October Izale McLeod scored a dramatic injury time equaliser to steal a point for his side. He was on the mark again on Saturday when his 85th minute goal stole victory from the Owls.

Earlier James Quinn had given the Owls an early 11th minute lead, after pouncing on some sloppy ball control by MK Dons keeper David Martin. Quinn composed himself before drilling a left foot shot past the keeper at the near post. The Owls held their lead until the hour mark when the MK Dons levelled matters. Clive Platt was in the right place to calmly slot home the ball after Lucas had charged down Paul Mitchell's through ball. Wednesday responded well though and restored their lead three minutes later.

On loan Adam Green showed his attacking potential with a great run down the left and a teasing left-footed cross that forced Ben Chorley, under pressure from Steven Maclean, to turn the ball into his own net.

Quinn had a great chance to settle matters a minute later when another Green cross from the left caused havoc. The Northern Ireland international completely missed his header and Jon-Paul McGovern's followed up effort was turned away on the line by Don's shotstopper Martin.

MK Dons boss Danny Wilson, former Wednesday player and manager, threw on a third striker for the final quarter of an hour to try and salvage something from the game. McLeod, booed by a section of the Owls fans, was to have the last laugh and his cut inside two Wednesday defenders on the wing before charging into the penalty box and firing a deflected shot past David Lucas.

The draw is a disappointing result for Wednesday who would hope to beat teams in the lower end of the table. The Owls' unbeaten run has been stretched to nine games now however and Sturrock's side remain fourth in the table.

Half-time: MK Dons 0-1 Owls

Paul Sturrock's post match comments:
"We got exactly what we deserved. If you play 90 minutes at the same tempo you normally win games but we dropped about three gears in the second half. The MK Dons came out as a different team in the second half. We didn't react to the positiveness they showed and it set the tone for the half. They are very used to this football pitch and their style of play was very penetrative."

"At 2-1, the boy Quinn could have finished it - I was surprised he didn't hit the target. He tired badly again and didn't do the things we wanted him to do in the second half. Too many times he wants to go and fight people, which is something we will have to rectify."

Steven MacLean's post match comments:
:It is a disappointing result for us. We came here on the back of some good wins and started well, playing really well in the first half and getting a 1-0 lead. In the second half, we never played at all."

"I think we have to come here and look for three points if we're going to get promotion. When you take the lead, you get set for three points and I think their second goal was a bit fortunate. It took a deflection off somebody's hand. We have to pick ourselves up."