MK Dons 1-1 Wednesday

Wednesday leapfrogged Sheffield United into third place in npower League One as the Owls took a share of the spoils from a tight encounter at MK Dons.

Two own goals settled the contest, with Wednesday stopper Stephen Bywater unfortunate in giving the hosts the lead after 17 minutes before Gary MacKenzie suffered the same fate at the other end ten minutes late as he failed to deal with a Chris Sedgwick cross.

A draw was probably the right result from what was a tight contest devoid of many chances throughout on a cold night at Stadium:mk.

Owls boss Gary Megson rung the changes from Saturday’s FA Cup draw at Blackpool with Gary Madine and Chris O’Grady returning to lead the line. Jose Semedo also returned to the Owls’ midfield while Miguel Llera started and new loan recruit John Bostock started on the bench.

Victory would have given either side a big boost in the quest for promotion but neither goalkeeper was tested early on – a theme that was to continue for the whole 90 minutes.

Dean Bowditch hit a long-range effort wide in the only half chance of the opening 15 minutes.

But the Dons broke the deadlock just minutes later in somewhat fortuitous circumstances. Luke Chadwick struck a sweet long-range effort which crashed against the crossbar and hit the back of Bywater before crossing the line.

The visitors looked for a quick response and they enjoyed more of the ball without really carving out any clear-cut chances. Madine saw an appeal for handball inside the Dons boxed waved away by the officials before a second own goal of the match levelled things.

Winger Sedgwick was the architect as he fashioned a cross into the box and MacKenzie could only lash the ball beyond David Martin, the home goalkeeper, and into the back of the net to the delight of the travelling Wednesdayites.

Chances were at a premium with defences on top for the remainder of the half as the game remained in the balance at the interval.

Half-Time: MK Dons 1-1 Wednesday

In such a close game the next goal was always going to be vital and it was Wednesday who started the brighter after the interval.

Unlike the first 45 minutes, Wednesday quickly created some good chances in front of Martin’s goal. The towering Reda Johnson twice came close with headers while David Prutton sent an effort wide as the visitors looked to take the lead for the first time in the match.

The goal didn’t come, however, and Megson brought on new-boy Bostock in place of Sedgwick to try and add some more creativity in the final third. The Dons had already introduced their own new signing in the former of Alan Smith shortly after the break.

Jermaine Johnson followed Bostock on to the pitch not long after, in place of Madine, and the Jamaican tried his best to open up the home defence, firing one effort wide, but the game looked destined for a draw.

At the other end, Bywater was a spectator and although the Dons enjoyed their fair share of possession they didn’t really threaten in the final third.

Full-Time: MK Dons 1-1 Wednesday

MK Dons: Martin, Lewington, MacKenzie, Gleeson, Bowditch, MacDonald (Ibehre 62), Chicksen (Smith 51), Williams, Flanagan, O’Shea (Powell 80), Chadwick. Unused substitutes: McLoughlin, Baldock.

Wednesday: Bywater, Otsemobor, Batth, Llera, R Johnson, Buxton, Sedgwick (Bostock 61), Prutton, Semedo, Madine (J Johnson 62), O’Grady (Morrison 83). Unused substitutes: Weaver, Lines.