Hot-shots put Dons in frame

HOME grown duo Sam Baldock and Daniel Powell are spearheading the surge as MK Dons attempt to gain promotion to the npower Championship for the first time.

The attacking pair have scored 21 goals between them, the majority of which have come in the second half of the campaign, as the Milton Keynes outfit – who visit Boundary Park on the last day of the season on Saturday – have consolidated their position in the play-off zone.

Along with lively wide man Keanu Marsh-Brown, on loan from Fulham and effective on the wing in his side's goalless draw with Athletic at stadium:mk in late February, their combined efforts have helped 30-year-old manager Karl Robinson secure a shot at Old Trafford glory on May 29 — not to mention landing him a three-year contract running until 2014.

"We always had belief in ourselves that we were capable of getting out of this league this year," said Robinson after his team saw off Notts County 2-1 at home last Saturday.

"The first goal was obviously automatic promotion and we're disappointed not to have that, but we're extremely pleased to be in the play-offs with some very good teams. It's what we deserve."

Inspirational ex-Manchester United midfielder Luke Chadwick was taken off the field injured during the win over the Magpies, a result that arrived amid an up-and-down run of results for the Dons.

His replacement, Angelo Balanta, a Colombia-born loan forward from QPR, scored one of the two goals against County, with Baldock getting the other.