A second-half goal from Daniel Powell has given MK Dons a 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at stadium:mk in the Championship this evening.
Bolton looked the more likely of the two sides in the opening couple of minutes, despite the Trotters coming into the match still looking for their first goal of the campaign, but Liam Feeney could only scuff his efforts straight to David Martin.
Ben Amos soon started to find himself under pressure down the other end though as a poor goal kick from the Bolton stopper almost set up Simon Church for the opener, while Darren Potter fired over with a long-range effort.
Both sides continued to ask questions of the opposition defence before half time, as Gary Madine failed to connect with a Josh Vela cross before Church spurned a couple of chances down the other end, leaving the score goalless at the interval.
Madine was involved again early in the second half as a high ball forward dropped for the striker, but a deflection ensured that the ball ended up going behind, while another run from the forward was halted by a last-gasp challenge from Antony Kay.
Despite Bolton's bright start to the second half, it was Karl Robinson's side who broke the deadlock on the hour mark when Samir Carruthers provided a through-ball for Powell, who slotted past Amos to mark his return from injury with a goal.
Neil Lennon's men responded quickly as they tried to get back on level terms, with Zach Clough and Feeney both working the ball into the box, but the visitors lacked the finishing touch.
Bolton continued to see the majority of the ball with less than 20 minutes remaining, but Clough drilled the ball wide from a free kick, before slicing in over on the half-volley after Dean Moxey put the cross in.
Martin had to make a double stop inside the final five minutes as the visitors desperately pressed for their first goal of the campaign, but the Dons keeper parried Clough's strike, before holding the follow-up from substitute Emile Heskey.
The home side had to keep numbers back in the closing stages to slow the Bolton charge, but Matthew Upson was back to stop Madine getting a shot away.
The result means that Bolton drop to 19th in the table, and remain the only side yet to score in the division, while MK Dons jump up to eighth with their first home win of the campaign.
Sian Cowper
