Fleetwood Town lost out to Milton Keynes Dons in a Sky Bet League One clash at Stadium MK on Tuesday evening.
The hosts started the game the stronger with Joe Mason scoring a hat-trick in the opening 30 minutes. Town seemed to grow into the game after the half-time break, creating multiple chances, with substitute Sam Finley managing to find the net from 25-yards late on.
The first chance of the game came within the opening minute when Kyle Vassell’s defense-splitting pass played Josh Morris through on goal, but goalkeeper Andrew Fisher reacted instinctively and was in the way to make the save – The resulting corner found Callum Camps whose effort was held by the goalkeeper.
MK Dons broke the deadlock just five minutes in when Ethan Laird’s low cross into the box found the feet of Mason, who slotted the ball past Joe Hilton to give his side the lead.
The Dons had the chance to double their lead when Cameron Jerome’s header found the feet of Lasse Sorenson on the edge of the area – His low strike was palmed away by Hilton and Jerome could only find the side netting at the second attempt.
The hosts added to their lead when Mason won back possession in the final third. After receiving the ball back from Fraser on the edge of the area, his first-time effort found the back of the net. Soon after, the forward completed his first-half hat-trick.
After a swift build-up, Paul Coutts received the ball in the middle of the park. He decided to try his luck, but his ambitious long-range effort was deflected over the crossbar.
Fleetwood started the second half as the better side. Vassell came close to reducing the deficit when he saw his low strike saved by the diving Fisher. The Dons managed to scramble the ball to safety despite Camps’ best efforts to get it over the line on the rebound.
Substitute Sam Finley almost found a way through for Fleetwood when the ball broke nicely for him on the edge of the area. His venomous strike rattled the crossbar and came back out into play.
Scott Fraser almost added a fourth for MK Dons when he got in behind the Cod Army defence, forcing a fine save out of Hilton.
Madden came close for Fleetwood when he was played through by Callum Camps. He saw his shot sail into the gloves of the goalkeeper.
Town found the back of the net in the 83rd minute as Finley picked up the ball 25-yards out and tried his luck, beating Fisher in the Dons goal.
Town XI: Hilton (GK), Andrew (Rydel 80’), Connolly, Whelan (Rossiter 80’), Camps, J.Morris (S.Morris 80’), Mulgrew, Coutts (C) (Finley 45’), Madden, Vassell, Hill (Holgate 66’).
Subs not used: Duffy, Saunders.
Dons XI: Fisher (GK), Lewington (C), Poole, Gladwin, Fraser, Laird (Sorinola 66’), O’Hora, Sorensen (Brown 84’), Mason (Johnson 71’), Harvie, Jerome (Freeman 84’).
Subs not used: Nicholls (GK), Williams, Davies.