The Dons went into the game with high hopes knowing that Bradford had 5 key players absent from their squad but Bradford also knew that MK Dons had come off the back of a 5-0 thumping from Huddersfield Town so maybe Bradford felt they could steal a point or even the win from MK Dons. Filipe Morais returned along with Ricardo Batista with the duo returning from Portugese International Duty. This was Filipe's last game though as his loan with us ended and he was set to return to Chelsea. Batista on the other hand had already agreed to stay here for another month from Fulham after arriving and impressing enough to become our No.1 keeper ahead of Matt Baker.
Although Batista injured his hand during the warm up so Matt Baker was set to start in place of him.
Both teams started the game with strong intent to win. It was MK Dons who had the first chance after just 30 Seconds when Morais showed his class by sending in a cross but under pressure Bradford where able to get the ball clear. Bradford had the next real chance when from a long range free kick Wilkinson sent the ball over the Dons defence and the ball flew just pass Matt Bakers post. Ex-Don Darren Holloway came back to thwart the Dons this time when he was able to head clear with Morais lurking dangerously behind him. Mcleod was released down the right wing but he was unable to score when the ball took and awkward bounce and Mcleod sent his shot high and wide. Bradford had the ball in the back of the net approaching half time but their effort was ruled out for a foul on Dons keeper Matt Baker. This would be his last contribution as he was taken off injured at half time. This sent the Dons support into worry as we had already lost Batista which left us with no substitute keeper. At the beginning of the second half we discovered that the man who stepped up to take responsibility was Aaron Wilbraham.
From the whistle Bradford seemed to bombard our goal but the Dons defence who had put their dismal display against The Terriers behind them were there every step of the way to protect Wilbraham and show that they wanted Albie to have a nice easy 45 minutes. Danny Wilson made a change that has become all too familiar to Dons fans which is seeing Nicky Rizzo enter the action with 40 minutes to go which would inject some width and pace into the Dons flanks. This seemed to pay off immediately when Morais escaped down the right wing ghosted into the box and from a cross come shot he thumped the base of the post and from 12 yards Ben Harding drove the ball into the back of the net to send the Dons fans wild. That wasnt to be the end of the Drama though as Bradford enjoyed a good spell of pressure which resulted in them winning a corner. The Dons never really dealt with the pressure and after a lengthy goal mouth scaramble Wilbraham saw Claridge head past him with the veteran scoring his first goal since October. The game was then turned with the blink of an eye when Gareth Edds seemed to have taken the 3 points for the Dons when he unleashed a bullet of a shot but Ricketts took flight and to The Dons fans amazement tipped the ball over for a corner. Ben Harding was then the next man to come close with a volley from the edge of the box which beat the impressive Ricketts but just missed the post. The game seemed to be ending for an all to familiar draw but Dons defender Dean Lewington had different ideas. He was able to pick the ball up in his own half and went on a surging run. He cut inside the Bantams defence and from 25 Yards out unleashed a shot which was unstoppable and despite Ricketts at full stretch flew into the top corner and sent the fans into applaud but at the same time shock that it had happened. A game turned on its head by surely goal of the season from a defender. You just couldnt right a script for that ending.
Final Score: MK Dons 2-1 Bradford City
COME ON YOU DONS