Early goal sinks Crewe

An early goal from striker Charlie MacDonald consigned Crewe Alexandra to a first defeat in six games at MK Dons.

The 31-year-old converted a low cross from Luke Chadwick to earn the hosts an eighth-minute lead but their opponents went on to miss enough chances to level. AJ Leitch-Smith went closest when hitting the base of an upright early in the second-half.

New signing Andy Bond was included by the visitors after arriving on loan from Colchester United and winger Byron Moore returned to their starting line-up. Mathias Pogba was named on the bench following more than a month out with a knee injury.

But it was the Dons making their early pressure count with MacDonald getting on the end of Chadwick's cross and steering past Alan Martin to open the scoring.

The Alex were having to defend well to keep out confident hosts clearly boosted by their early success, although Max Clayton helped Gregor Robertson's cross wide in reply. But it needed Martin to turn aside from Dean Bowditch before the break and MacDonald was also soon wide from another opportunity.

Following the restart Clayton had an effort deflected wide for the visitors after good work from Leitch-Smith, who soon collected a pass from Luke Murphy and stabbed onto a post.

Crewe defender Mark Ellis next headed Robertson's cross wide and Murphy was similarly wayward before Leitch-Smith tricked his way through and was denied by another deflection. He then should have done better after seizing upon a careless backpass - until being replaced by Pogba with less than half-an hour remaining.

However, Dons replacement Daniel Powell nearly set up MacDonald for his second of the afternoon before the visitors withdrew Clayton with a slight thigh problem in favour of Ryan Colclough.

Another Dons substitute Scott Allan twice went close after first being thwarted by Martin and then clearing the crossbar. The Scot also later kept out both Ray Lewington and Adam Chicksen while Pogba couldn't take advantage of Moore's cross at the other end.

MK Dons: Martin, Lewington, Williams, Chicksen, Kay, Gleeson, Potter, O'Shea (Powell 61), Chadwick (Allan 71), Bowditch, MacDonald (Lowe 83)

subs (unused): McLoughlin, Otsemobor, Doumbe, Smith

Goals: MacDonald (8)

Crewe Alexandra: Martin, Mellor, Davis, Ellis, Robertson, Tootle (Turton 80), Bond, Murphy, Moore, M. Clayton (Colclough 68), Leitch-Smith (Pogba 62)

subs (unused): Garratt, Guthrie, Ray, Daniels

Ref: Adcock

Att: 11,037

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