Late Aneke goal squeezes MK Dons past Newport in Wales
A late goal from Chuks Aneke saw MK Dons edge past Newport County in South Wales.
Substitute Aneke was on hand to turn in a rebound in the final two minutes of normal time at the rearranged contest at Rodney Parade.
A lively game had seen both sides miss opportunities during the 90 minutes, before the late decider swung the contest.
The result saw the Dons win away from home for the first time since early November, and saw the side return to the play-off spots in League 2 after falling out of the top 7 over the weekend.
The Dons team that took to the field at Newport had been a much changed one from the weekend, with one of the five alterations including a league debut for Stuart Moore in goal.
A lively opening saw opportunities come and go for both sides, but neither was able to make an early breakthrough.
Just after the game’s half-hour mark, both sides would hit the goal-frame. David Wheeler saw a low drive skid off the base of the post, and moments later, Jason Demetriou saw his header cannon off the bar.
In the final moments before half-time, the Dons’ Wheeler and Newport’s Jamille Matt both failed to make the most of good opportunities to break the deadlock.
Newport were livelier in the early stages of the second half, with Moore forced to tip Tyreeq Bakinson’s strike onto the bar, and Fraser Franks also hitting the frame of the goal from a corner.
The home side would hit the frame of the goal again after that, but as the contest entered the final part of the minutes, the Dons began to have more chances and would eventually make a final stage breakthrough.
With two to go, Aneke was on hand to turn in the rebound after an initial Jake Hesketh strike was saved, and the Dons sub was off celebrating what turned out to be the only goal of the contest.