Matty Young - 7
No chance on the curler into his far top corner that made it 1-1. Composed presence once again, particularly delighting the fans by flicking the ball back into the box so he could grab hold of it after coming out to make a claim right on the line of the box. Distribution really useful at times.
Radinio Balker - 6
Defended well throughout the first half but looked like he could have done more to stop Aaron Collins as he cut inside to fire the equaliser into the top corner soon after the break. Dove in on Collins rather rashly on the hour and was a bit fortunate it was given as a dive — could easily have brought him down for real. Made a massive block off a corner late on.
Murray Wallace - 7
Into the side for the absent Jack Whatmough, playing in the middle of a back three. Did what we know he does: headed everything away that he possible could and tried to starve the opposition strikes of space.
Ibane Bowat - 7
Helped guide Jay Sway through the game without it affecting his own performance. Got the better of his battles with Sam Nombe before Milton Keynes took him off. Gave the ball away to allow the hosts a counter-attack off a set piece that Ben Wiles ultimately sliced wide, but otherwise solid. Got forward to help in the attack when appropriate and played a big part in an injury-time counter that perhaps should have led to more.
We’ll have our full thought on this game no later than first thing tomorrow morning plus our thoughts on the game on our weekly podcast on Monday. If you’re not a paying backer, you can sign up for a 7-day free trial to get our full reaction.
Ilias Bronkhorst - 5
Defended well up the right flank for the most part, with some good coordination between him and Derensili Sanches Fernandes helping to limit the hosts’ threat up that side in the first half — but should have done much better on the equaliser and let his man in a couple of times in the second half. Crossing was poor and wasted a good move late on.
Ryan Ledson - 7
Was right at it from the off and claimed a lovely assist with his though ball from Joe Taylor after good work from Ashley Fletcher to force a loose ball. Played several more of those kinds of passes until the interval in an impressive 45 minutes. Bit quieter but still good in the second half.
Marcus Harness - 5
Continued alongside Ledson in central midfield for most of the game before pushing forward late on. Had a decent enough first half and kept grafting away but unable to wield much influence after the break, and had a bit of a frustrating time on it when Town did get him on the ball.
Jay Sway - 6
Made his first league start, operating at left wing-back. Understandably a bit tentative and safety first in the opening stages but you could see his confidence growing as it went on. Had two shots saved in quick succession late in first half after cutting inside. Cleared off the line to deny Ryan Wintle’s header.
Derensili Sanches Fernandes - 6
Received much closer attention than he got last weekend, unsurprisingly. Had a quieter first half as a result, but came into the game a bit more after the break. Had a loud handball shout turned down right in front of the away fans after tricking his way to the byline…can’t give that one, for me.
Ashley Fletcher - 6
Played his part in the opener with his presence helping force the loose ball that Ledson then used to get Taylor in. Won possession inside the MK half to give Taylor another big chance later in the half that should have made it 2-0. Hit the post after getting clean through on the keeper just before the break — and again, it was one Town should really have scored.
Joe Taylor - 7 (MotM)
Turned on the afterburners to get one on one with Craig MacGillivray and open the scoring despite the keeper getting something on it. Should have put Town 2-0 up on 29 minutes after getting clean through again, but his first touch off Fletcher’s square ball let him down. Was adamant that a piledriver against the crossbar had bounced over the line before coming back out, and looked to have a strong case — but not given. Departed on 65 minutes having put in quite a shift on and off the ball.
Substitutes
Bojan Radulovic (for Taylor 65) - Went in the book for a true striker’s tackle. Need to keep in mind he’s still on his way back from a disrupted summer, but didn’t really make an impact. 5
David Kasumu (for Fletcher 75) - Sent on to sit alongside Ledson and allow Harness to play a more advanced role, as well as offering more energy on the counter. Had to take a yellow for the team as he covered for Harness’ poor pass. 6
George Sebine (for Sanches Fernandes 84) - Involved in a couple of late Town counters that sadly came to nothing. n/a
Unused substitutes: Nik Tzanev, Joe Low, Lynden Gooch, Archie Collins.
