Bubbly loses its fizz

CARL Winchester celebrates his goal with jubilant team-mates.

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Athletic 1, MK Dons 2

No champagne ending as Dons wreck the script
IT was not supposed to end this way.

Athletic weren't expected to close their npower League One campaign with a whimper, especially with so many members of the squad playing for their futures.

And Paul Dickov bringing down the curtain on an illustrious playing career on a losing side was nowhere in the script.

But that was the reality at Boundary Park on Saturday as the hosts – good at times, distinctly average at others – were the architects of their own downfall, with MK Dons returning home with three points.

Angelo Balanta notched the first goal for Karl Robinson's side after 30 minutes, swiftly followed by a stunning equaliser from Carl Winchester, but Keanu-Marsh Brown's deflected effort sealed the triumph just after the restart.

Dickov, who confirmed afterwards that he had indeed kicked a ball in anger for the final time as a professional footballer, spent the build-up to this contest drilling into his side the importance of going out on a high, particularly in front of the home faithful.

But, much to his despair in the post-match inquest, large periods of this game had that unmistakable 'end-of-season' feeling, the kind of winding down that drives managers potty.

No-one could accuse Athletic of not trying, far from it, but the zip and craft shown early on in an intriguing campaign was lacking.

The only change to the line-up saw Kieran Lee replace Ryan Burns.

Anyone filming the highlights could be forgiven for 'editing out' the first 10 minutes as the ball was moved around at a serene pace.

Warren Feeney – who went the entire season without a league goal – got things going with a neat left-wing delivery aimed at strike partner Reuben Reid, only for Tom Flanagan to head clear.

The away side's bright spark, particularly in the first period, was former Manchester City academy graduate Adam Clayton, currently on loan from Leeds United.

Clearly confidence is not a problem for the forward, who flung a free-kick at goalkeeper Dean Brill from all of 40 yards, which was well held.

Athletic's most fruitful route to goal was down the flanks and when Aidan White clipped in a threatening cross from the left, it skimmed the top of Feeney's head.

The breakthrough came after half-an-hour. Carl Winchester inadvertently diverted a long ball over the top into the path of Queens Park Rangers loanee Balanta, who deftly chipped the ball over the advancing Brill.

Then came a bolt from the blue, Winchester unleashing a left-foot rocket from 30 yards which whizzed into the top corner.

There was still time before the interval for Dons to give a rejuvenated home team a scare. Danny Woodards found danger man Balanta in the six-yard box, and the Colombian's delicate header hit the angle of post and crossbar before bouncing to safety.

Athletic's best move of the match came almost immediately after the break, no doubt inspired by some harsh words from the boss.

Reid showed a wonderful turn of pace to evade the challenges of Woodards and Clayton down the right

channel. He fed Feeney who in turn teed up Winchester, but his powerful drive from 12 yards ended up on the wrong side of the post.

Just as the home team looked like they had rediscovered their mojo, Marsh-Brown burst the bubble.

His speculative shot from the edge of the area was not even on target until it spun off White's boot and into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

It didn't take long for the 'bring on Paul Dickov' chants to begin, but the Scot was keen to give his fellow back-up forwards a chance first.

Ryan Brooke replaced Feeney, who worked tirelessly without carving an opening for himself.

Tarkowski probably should have netted after an hour, but he headed Jason Lowe's pinpoint corner wide.

Oumare Tounkara came on for Reid, despite calls for the manager's introduction reaching fever pitch.

Dons should have wrapped up victory after 69 minutes when substitute Sam Baldock and his brother George swapped passes on the break.

Sam found Dan Powell, who sliced wide from six yards when it looked easier to find the net.

That was enough for Dickov who, to the delight of his admirers, started to warm up.

Five minutes later his final playing appearance was greeted by a Manchester City-esque 'Poznan' celebration from Latics followers, as he replaced Winchester.

The sharpness may not have been there, but his touch and movement separated him from those on the pitch who had not played top-flight football.

Dickov's pass to Tounkara down the left was inch perfect, but the Frenchman's floating delivery evaded everyone.

And the man of the moment could have gained one last assist before hanging up his boots, only for his wicked left-foot curler to miss his onrushing colleagues by a whisker.

There was plenty of endeavour at the death as always, but Athletic could not carve out a leveller and ended the season on a losing note.