Top of the Table Brentford came across MK Dons who have been languishing in the relegation zone. In their history Brentford have won one and drawn one with MK Dons. The only goal between the two sides was from the penalty spot at
It began an open and even affair with both teams trying to get a shot in. Marcus Gayle fired over the bar from 30 yards. Kevin O’Connor had a shot blocked after 25 minutes.
MK Dons were forced to make a substitution after 28 minutes when Marvin Kamara replaced Wade Small who had to go off injured.
Paul Mitchell had MK’s first real shot of intent which hit the underside of the bar but came down on the wrong side of the line from MK’s point of view despite protests from Wilbrahim.
Darren Pratley was then booked for a foul on Nick McKoy.
Brentford then had two very good chances which they did not convert. Isaiah Rankin forced Matthew Baker into a very good save and Scott Fitzgerald blazed the rebound over the bar. Eddie Hutchinson produced a smart save from Baker as well to keep the scores level.
Sam Sodje then produced a great bit of goalkeeping work with no hands to prevent Clive Platt giving MK the lead in the match with Nelson beaten.
The game went into half time at 0-0.
Brentford came out early for the second half to have some training before the game continued. Andrew Frampton had a 25 yard shot stopped by the on-form Baker.
Brentford looked hungry for a goal that would keep them top and they got it in bizarre fashion. After some good work by DJ Campell, who had replaced Scott Fitzgerald just seconds before, and forced a corner. From the resulting corner, taken by Darren Pratley, Leon Crooks was adjudged to have handled the ball. Kevin O’Connor stepped up and smashed it into the top corner. However the referee decided that Jay Tabb had encroached into the penalty area so ordered the penalty to be retaken. O’Connor, as cool as you like, sent Baker the wrong way for his first goal of the season. Yet again the only goals that Brentford have scored against MK have come from the penalty spot.
MK Dons brought on Nicky Rizzo for Mirano Carrilho.
After two fouls in two minutes on the same player, Michael Turner, Aaron Wilbrahim was booked.
From the free kick DJ Campbell forced a corner. The resulting corner was headed behind for another corner. The third time it was gathered by Baker.
Stuart Nelson was then booked for time-wasting as Brentford looked to hold on for three points. Kevin O’Connor was later booked for a foul on Paul Mitchell.
MK looked for their 6th draw of the campaign but could not get a goal back and Paul Mitchell was booked for a foul on Ryan Peters as Brentford kept their composure and with it kept all the points.
Brentford: Nelson, O'Connor, Sodje, Turner, Frampton, Rankin (Peters 73), Hutchinson, Pratley, Tabb, Fitzgerald (
Subs Not Used: Lewis, Bankole, Osborne.
Booked: Pratley, Nelson, O'Connor.
Goals: O'Connor 62 pen.
Subs Not Used: Smith, Palmer, Harding.
Booked: Wilbraham, Mitchell.
Att: 5,862.
Ref: G Lewis (Cambridgeshire).
Possession:
Brentford 53%
Shots:
Brentford 10
Corners:
Brentford 7
Fouls:
Brentford 17
Bookings:
Brentford 3