V Colchester United 0-2

Colchester United 2-0 Milton Keynes Dons
A goal in each half secured all three points for the home side and dented Dons play-off hopes at a freezing Weston Homes Community Stadium.

MK surprisingly made three changes to the side that beat Tranmere with Jason Puncheon, Jermaine Easter and Peter Leven dropping to the bench. Into the starting side came Mark Randall, Luke Chadwick and Mark Carrington.

Randall was making his first start for the club after joining on loan from Arsenal and was soon involved. With seven minutes played he clattered into Marc Tierney near the touchline and went into referee Mr Hopper’s notepad. The midfielder then slotted a great ball through for Aaron Wilbraham which he slotted narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Despite an encouraging start it was the U’s who took the lead after 18 minutes with a goal which Willy Gueret won’t want to see again. The keeper fumbled when he tried to collect a long throw from Tierney and the ball spilled loose for Kevin Lisbie to fire home from ten yards. It threatened to get worse for Gueret when he dropped an Anthony Wordsworth free-kick three minutes later before the referee awarded an MK free-kick in the subsequent melee. Dons sloppy defending continued on 23 minutes when Mathias Doumbe allowed Lisbie to rob him of the ball on the goal line and Gueret did well to hold onto the subsequent shot.

Carrington passed up a good opportunity when he failed to connect with a Danny Woodards cross on 27 minutes but play was soon back at the other end and it took a great challenge from Doumbe to prevent Lisbie getting a shot away after a clever flick from Wordsworth. MK threatened again just before half-time when Wilbraham looked to have put Chadwick in on goal only for Matt Heath to cut out the danger.

Doumbe was unable to continue after the break and was replaced by Jude Stirling. However, he’d barely had time to warm up before he was heading back to the dressing room after being controversially sent-off in 53 minutes. Referee Hooper spotted a tug by the tall defender on Lisbie which the bulk of the 3,601 crowd seemed to miss and pointed to the spot before brandishing the red card. However, Gueret proved equal to Lisbie’s spot kick by diving to his right to keep the ball out.

Lisbie tried to atone with a great strike from the edge of the area on the hour mark which flew narrowly wide. It was to prove an eventful for the substitutes on both teams as Colchester’s new loan signing David Prutton replaced Phil Ifill on 64 minutes. With his first touch Prutton created some space about 20 yards from goal before hitting a curling shot high into the corner of the goal which Gueret had no chance with.

Sam Baldock was brought on for Chadwich after 71 minutes in a move which saw Andros Townsend switched to the left wing slot where he created so much danger on Saturday. This signalled Dons best spell of the match and they nearly found a way back into the game on 81 minutes. Gueret’s free-kick from deep in his own half was won in the air by Wilbraham and Baldock raced onto the ball before seeing his shot unluckily cannon back off the post. With two minutes remaining David McCracken headed Stephen Gleeson’s free-kick onto the roof of the net before Colchester comfortably saw out the remaining minutes.

Ratings
Gueret-6 Badly at fault for the first goal, redeemed himself with the penalty save. No chance with the second
Woodards-7 Strong and athletic performance, will be a key defender for the Dons if he can steer clear of the injuries that have dogged him so far
Doumbe-6 Caught napping by Lisbie but otherwise solid before injury forced him off.
McCracken-6 Steady enough, performing more like the player he was at the start of the season
Lewington-5 Strangely lethargic performance, maybe down to his fourth game in 10 days . Skipper needs to do more to rally the troops when games are going against them
Townsend-6 Inexplicably played on the right. Switch to the left for last 20 minutes and picked up from where he left off against Tranmere
Carrington-6 Filled in at right-back following reshuffle after Stirling’s red card and did OK.
Gleeson-6 Can never be faulted for effort but not a threat coming forward
Randall-6 Eager to put in a challenge, one great ball for Wilbraham, little else
Chadwick-6 Plenty of passion, enjoying his best spell of the season
Wilbraham-7 Thankless task up front on his own, needed more support from the midfield
Substitutes
Stirling-4 On at half-time, off before everyone had returned from the pie stall
Puncheon-5 Brought on to try and turn the tide but Dons lost the second goal within five minutes of his appearance
Baldock-6 Got the last 20 minutes and only the post denied him handing Dons a lifeline

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