Magpies downed by Dons (01.02.05)

A SECOND dodgy penalty in four days deprived the Magpies of a deserved draw in their Berks & Bucks Cup clash with Coca-Cola League One strugglers Milton Keynes Dons at York Road on Tuesday night.
Initially overawed by their fulltime professional opponents, United showed them too much respect, allowing the Dons to boss the game, both in terms of possession and territory.
Despite this, United’s 3-5-2 formation dealt admirably with anything that was thrown at them, while keeper Ademole Bankole cleaned up anything which managed to squeeze through the gaps.
The hosts also had their chances, however, with Andy Dugdale heading Jamie Cook’s accurate free-kick just wide of Matt Baker’s post on 10 minutes, when it seemed easier to score.
The big defender made amends minutes later, when he nipped in to rob nippy striker Jamie Mackie, just as he went to pull the trigger.
Mackie had the ball in the back of Bankole’s net a minute later, only to have the effort ruled out for offside.
As the half progressed United began to work their way into the game until, on 32 minutes, came that fateful penalty.
The excellent Malvin Kamara escaped down the right flank and whipped in a low ball for Mackie.
Peter Adeniyi moved in to challenge the diminutive striker, who instantly went to ground.
Unfortunately, the referee fell for Mackie’s display of professionalism and instantly pointed to the spot. Allan Smart stepped up and sent Bankole the wrong way to establish a slender lead.
After the break United risked their arm and pushed men forward, as wing-backs Adeniyi and Barrie Matthews shifted into attack mode.
The effect was marked, and at times it was United who looked the more senior side.
Unfortunately, there was nothing second-best about Dons keeper Matt Baker, who pulled off one top-drawer save after another to thwart United’s fightback. His first good stop came as early as the 53rd minute, when Cook surged through the Dons defence before unleashing a low drive towards the near post.
Baker could not hold onto the shot, but got enough on it to steer it out of harm’s way.
Bankole made a similarly good stop at the other end to deny Kamara a few minutes later, but the rest of the half was Black & White.
On 57 minutes Simon Patterson flashed a shot just wide of Baker’s upright, and three minutes later the keeper did exceptionally well to smother Lawrence Yaku’s close-range effort.
Bryan Smith then headed just over the bar from a Matthews free-kick, before Yaku squandered the best chance of the night, when he blazed wide from 12 yards out, with only the keeper to beat.
Finally, with the clock ticking down, Patterson squared a delightful low ball to Adeniyi on the edge of the box, who rifled a fierce shot towards goal.
But as United’s fans prepared themselves for wild celebrations, Baker managed to scoop the ball up off the ground and over his bar for a save-of-the-season contender.
Time ran out two minutes later, much to the Dons’ relief.

SNAP SHOT: Andy Dugdale had his work cut out dealing with the constant threat posed by the Dons’ classy No.7 Malvin Kamara. Ref:87817/5