MK Dons leapfrog Wycombe into fourth after derby win

Wycombe suffered successive defeats as they fell to Buckinghamshire rivals in a 1-0 defeat at Adams Park

The Chairboys were looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat at Morecambe against fellow-Bucks opposition in MK Dons. Liam Manning’s side had won late-on at Burton in the week and had their sights set on leapfrogging the Wanderers into fourth.

Gareth Ainsworth made one change which saw former-MK man David Wheeler replace Adebayo Akinfenwa in the starting lineup. Manning opted for Harry Darling as Mo Eisa dropped to the bench.

After a slow start to the game for both sides, Dons took the lead with their first chance of the game inside 12 minutes.

Theo Corbeanu drove at Joe Jacobson from the halfway line and struck low at David Stockdale. His save fell straight into the path of Scott Twine who gobbled up the opportunity for his 13th goal of the season.

Twine’s strike meant the Chairboys still have never kept a clean sheet against MK in the 14 meetings.

Wycombe would have to wait a further 10 minutes before they got their first nibble at the Dons goal. Brandon Hanlan latched onto a long ball to find himself through on goal. His first-time attempt was swatted away by a swarming Jamie Cumming who was alert to the danger.

As was in the Oxford encounter two weeks ago, the referee had to halt proceedings following inappropriate chanting from the away fans. Akinfenwa approached the MK fans, well in his own right to do so, causing a flock of grown men to scream expletives at the Wycombe forward.

An out-of-character flat first-half performance from the hosts allowed the north-Bucks outfit to hold onto their 1-0 advantage into half-time. Ainsworth’s men lacked creative edge in the final third with multiple deliveries failing to find their target.

Urgency was needed from the Chairboys in the second-half if they were going to lift a subdued Adams Park crowd.

Sam Vokes’ introduction at the interval brought the intensity that the Wycombe fans were craving. A dinked cross arrived in Garath McCleary’s path but he fell as the ball landed and it dribbled out for a goal kick.

Just as Wycombe worked their way back into the game, MK had the chance to double their lead. Dan Harvie picked out an unmarked Corbeanu in the box, but his header was remarkably tipped onto the bar and cleared away.

The visitors held on comfortably to see out an impressive victory at Adams Park. A game lost on Wycombe’s part as they failed to motor at any point during the match. Ainsworth’s side looked exhausted, but it was their absence of creativity that let them down.

MK Dons’ victory, however, was stained after abusive chants were hurled at legendary Chairboys forward. A resulting statement from the club was released in which they condemned the abuse.

The incident raises the question, why are football supporters allowed to get away with such defamatory chanting all in the name of ‘banter’.

Wycombe will look to make amends next Tuesday when they host Shrewsbury.