The Sky Blues came away from MK Dons with a point on Saturday as City were backed by over 6,000 supporters at Stadium: MK.
Had Jordy Hiwula’s 53rd minute spot kick found the net; City could have been leaving with all three points after a scrappy affair between the two sides.
City dominated possession in the early stages and kept the ball well but it was MK Dons who had the first opportunity, as a corner from the left flashed across the box before being lifted back into the area only for Michael Rose to head clear.
Fifteen minutes in, The Sky Blues had their first opening as a cross from the right found Hiwula at the back post who tried to send the ball back across the area for Amadou Bakayoko, however his pass failed to find the front man.
It was then MK Dons chance to go forward, as the ball broke to Hiram Boateng just inside the penalty area and the attacker looked to pull the trigger but was denied by a superb sliding challenge from Sam McCallum.
Twenty minutes from half time Liam Walsh drove from the heart of midfield, and played a ball through to Callum O’Hare who unleashed a left footed shot from twelve yards but his effort was blocked by the recovering defender Jordan Moore-Taylor.
On the half hour mark Bakayoko had the best opportunity of the half, as a free kick was played short to McCallum who floated a cross into the area however, from six yards out, the striker couldn’t direct his header goalward.
Just moments before half time Hiwula had an effort from the edge of the box which was deflected wide for a corner which MK Dons cleared to send the teams into the break level.
HALF TIME: MK DONS 0-0 SKY BLUES
Just three minutes into the second half, O’Hare drove with the ball from the right and won a free kick 22 yards out which was drilled towards goal by Jordan Shipley but was met by an equally good save by Lee Nicholls.
Two minutes later City captain Shipley had another effort saved as McCallum pulled the ball back from a tight angle for Shipley to sweep his shot into the gloves of Nicholls.
Fifty-three minutes in Hiwula latched onto a short back pass from George Williams and knocked the ball past the on-rushing ‘keeper Nicholls who hauled down the winger resulting in a penalty for the Sky Blues.
Hiwula stepped up to take the spot kick however his right footed effort was well saved by Nicholls who dived low to his left to palm the ball away.
Just a minute after the penalty, The Dons broke at the other end and the ball fell to Boateng who found himself in space 12 yards out but Marko Marosi was equal to his effort and made a great save to beat the ball away from danger.
Fifteen minutes from the end, City broke from their own box as O’Hare drove forward with the ball and released substitute Gervane Kastaneer down the left who cut inside and took aim from the edge of the box however his shot was blocked.
Just four minutes from time MK Dons substitute Ben Reeves unleashed a powerful strike from 25 yards only to see his effort cannon back off the cross bar meaning the points were shared.
FULL TIME: MK DONS 0-0 SKY BLUES
GOALS: N/A
YELLOW CARDS: George Williams 1’, Callum Brittain 61’, Dean Lewington 64’, David Kasumu 66’, Jordan Moore-Taylor 68’, Alex Gilbey 79’.
RED CARDS: N/A
ATTENDANCE: 13,621 (6,274 Sky Blues)
MK DONS XI: Lee Nicholls (GK), George Williams, Dean Lewington (C), Joe Walsh, Alex Gilbey (Kieran Agard 84’), Jordan Moore-Taylor, Conor McGrandles, Jordan Houghton, Callum Brittain, Hiram Boateng (Ben Reeves 70’), David Kasumu
UNUSED SUBS: Stuart Moore (GK), Regan Poole, Baily Cargill, Brennan Dickenson, Ryan Haley.
SKY BLUES XI: Marko Marosi (GK), Fankaty Dabo, Michael Rose, Dom Hyam, Sam McCallum, Liam Walsh, Zain Westbrooke, Jordan Shipley, Callum O’Hare, Jordy Hiwula (Gervane Kastaneer 70’), Amadou Bakayoko (Max Biamou 63’)
UNUSED SUBS: Ben Wilson (GK), Tennai Watson, Brandon Mason, Kyle McFadzean, Liam Kelly.