Ipswich beat struggling MK Dons

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12 Dec 2015

By Phil Cartwright BSports

Ipswich Town continued their excellent recent form in the Championship, grinding out a 1-0 win at struggling MK Dons in wet conditions at Stadium MK.

The visitors' winner was superbly created by captain Luke Chambers, whose right-wing cross gave Brett Pitman an easy task to head in unmarked from six yards for his sixth goal of the season.

Dean Gerken denied Ben Reeves and Samir Carruthers as the Dons pushed late on.

Town are sixth as other results later in the day went in their favour.

Ipswich's resurgence in November earned boss Mick McCarthy the Championship's manager of the month award, and although they were beaten at home by Middlesbrough in their first match of December, they returned to winning ways with a professional display in a largely dour match against the lowly Dons.

Freddie Sears and Daryl Murphy both went close to adding to the lead after Pitman's opener but sent shots wide.

The Dons, the second-lowest scorers in the division at the start of play, had not found the net in either of their previous two league outings.

Karl Robinson's side controlled possession but lacked a clinical edge and, despite a dominant last 10 minutes and Gerken's two late saves from long-range attempts, the hosts rarely looked like preventing their goal drought being extended to a third match.

Relive Ipswich's win at MK Dons

MK Dons manager Karl Robinson:

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Robinson on MK Dons v Ipswich

"My players were sensational and I think we deserved more than what we got out of the game.

"I was so proud of them at the end and that's why I stood there and clapped them off the pitch.

"This is the harsh reality of the Championship, but the players asked to be at this level last season so they have to stand up and accept the challenge."

Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy:

"It was a really tough, resolute and well-organised performance against a team that had lots of the ball. We had some really clear-cut chances to put the game to bed sooner.

"There's lots of things we need to do to be successful in this league and that's sometimes doing some of the dirty things well, too.

"The nasty side of the game is just as important to me because, without that, you've got no chance in this league."

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (5)

Milton Keynes Dons

01 Martin
12 Spence (Hall - 86' )
05 McFadzean
06 Kay
03 Lewington
08 Potter
14 Carruthers
07 Baker (Powell - 62' )
09 Bowditch (Reeves - 62' )
31 Murphy
28 Maynard

Substitutes

02 Hodson
10 Reeves
13 Gallagher
17 Powell
22 Cropper
38 Hall
39 Poyet

Ipswich Town

01 Gerken
04 Chambers Booked
05 Smith
06 Berra
03 Knudsen
07 Maitland-Niles (Parr - 78' )
08 Skuse
22 Douglas Booked
20 Sears Booked (McGoldrick - 86' )
09 Murphy
11 Pitman

Substitutes

02 Parr
10 McGoldrick
14 Fraser
16 Coke
18 Tabb
21 Malarczyk
33 Bialkowski

Ref: Gavin Ward

Att: 13,520

Match Stats

Possession 64 36

Shots

20 10

On target

5 2

Corners

14 2

Fouls

8 17

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full Time Match ends, MK Dons 0, Ipswich Town 1.

90:00 +5:56 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, MK Dons 0, Ipswich Town 1.

90:00 +5:35

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

90:00 +4:29

Delay in match Jonas Knudsen (Ipswich Town) because of an injury.

90:00 +3:52

Attempt blocked. Robert Hall (MK Dons) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ben Reeves.

90:00 +3:44

Ben Reeves (MK Dons) wins a free kick on the right wing.

90:00 +3:44

Foul by Brett Pitman (Ipswich Town).

90:00 +2:18

Corner, MK Dons. Conceded by Jonathan Parr.