Holden suffers another defeat

FIRST SENIOR GOAL: Rhys Turner scored a consolation for Athletic.

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http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/10/oldham-athletic-news/90819/outlook-bleak-as-dons-inflict-more-misery

ATHLETIC 1 MK DONS 3

DEAN Holden experienced defeat in his first full game in charge of Athletic as promotion-chasing MK Dons asserted their credentials.

First-half strikes by Dean Bowditch and Daniel Powell saw Karl Robinson's side take a two-goal advantage into the interval.

Injury-hit Athletic improved after the break and had chances throughout the game. Ben Reeves, though, hit the third in the 65th minute and the contest was truly over in front of a paltry crowd of 2,455.

Substitute Rhys Turner pulled one back in the 80th minute, but Athletic were left licking their wounds for a sixth time in seven games.

The Dons, without a win in their last four, should have taken the lead in the third minute. Jake Kean spilled a long-range drive from Bowditch and Will Grigg, following up, could only hit the outside of a post with the goal at his mercy.

Athletic brightened up and Jonathan Forte's cross was only a fraction too heavy for the onrushing Connor Brown, in on the right wing, before Kean was called on to palm away Grigg's volley very sharply.

Robinson's men took the lead in the 25th minute when Timothee Dieng gave the ball away cheaply, allowing Samir Carruthers to slip in Dean Bowditch who finished neatly across Kean.

Forte then had two chances in a minute. First, a brilliant through-ball by Carl Winchester saw David Martin race out to block; then, the winger exchanged passes with Conor Wilkinson before his path to goal was blocked off by a defender.

Three minutes after that, it was two. Carruthers got in down the left far too easily and Powell converted his cross inside the six-yard box eight minutes before the break.

Athletic had two good chances to halves the deficit as the second half opened. First Wilkinson hit a post after Jones's effort was blocked and then, Wilkinson found space 20 yards out but shaped his effort a yard wide.

Joel Coleman made his senior debut, coming on after Kean injured himself just before the hour, but most of the play was at the other end of the field.

Reeves hit the third in the 65th minute as the Dins made the game secure. Exchanging passes with Carl Baker as Athleic's defence stood off him, the curling finish gave Coleman no chance.

Grigg should have hit a fourth rather than lift a Reeves cross over the bar and the same sequence repeated itself before Rhys Turner scored his first Athletic goal.

Danny Philliskirk was dispossessed in the area and the ball fell kindly for Turner whose low finish was well composed.

Athletic pressed to try to create a grandstand finish but the Dons held firm.