MK Dons 0-2 Huddersfield

Huddersfield took a giant step towards the League One play-off final with a deserved semi-final first leg victory at MK Dons.

Jordan Rhodes struck midway during the first half, guiding his header beyond Dons keeper David Martin.

Dean Lewington missed a very good chance to level from four yards out before Lee Novak squandered a chance to double the Terriers lead.

But Jack Hunts well-taken finish gave the away side a two-goal cushion.

The play-offs had been unkind to either side in past campaigns - MK have didn't transcend the semi-finals in three attempts, while the Terriers have fallen short on the post-season stage within the last two campaigns.

DID YOU UNDERSTAND?

Jordan Rhodes went into the sport against MK Dons and not using a goal in his previous five appearances. His last goal completed a hat-trick in a three-1 win at Leyton Orient on 3 April.

Only 1 point separated the clubs in the course of the regular season - Huddersfield popping out on top - but Rhodes showed why he had netted greater than double the choice of goals than the Dons highest scorer Dean Bowditch.

Rhodess header from Calum Woodss cross, shortly after substitute Kallum Higginbotham have to have beat Martin, was guided perfectly into the far corner and took his tally to 39 for the season.

MK must have been level immediately after the break when Shaun Williamss free-kick fell to the feet of Lewington, but his point-blank strike cannoned off keeper Ian Bennett.

The 40-year-old custodian once more defied his years, pulling off a double save from Bowditch and Daniel Powell.

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The house sides profligacy almost cost them dear when Rhodess flick-on released Lee Novak, but he dragged wide when hitting the objective gave the look of an easy task.

Eventually MK, who were wanting ideas all afternoon, were made to pay and it was courtesy of a moment of the best quality.

a handy guide a rough interchange between Hunt and Higginbotham down the appropriate-hand side saw the previous charge into the realm and he dispatched a shot that incorrect-footed Martin on its way into the web.

There has been still time for Bennett to drag off a pointy save from a Jabo Ibehre header deep into injury time.

But Huddersfield, organised superbly by the determined Damien Johnson in midfield, rode out the ultimate 10 minutes with little concern and may head back to West Yorkshire as clear favourites to progress to Wembley.

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

MK Dons manager Karl Robinson:

"It was an exceedingly weird game. i believed there has been nothing in in any respect.

"It was a stalemate with effort and keenness. They didnt have a raffle and next thing Rhodes pops up with a goal.

"And the second one half was probably more in our favour. Its a sucker punch but theres a ways to head."

Huddersfield manager Simon Grayson:

"Were obviously delighted weve won the sport, but more importantly with the extent of performance weve installed.

"We worked extremely hard during the last 10 days or so on our game plan and each individual stuck to it.

"We were solid and broke quickly they usually did what we asked them to do, and thats great as a manager."

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (5)

Milton Keynes Dons

• 01 Martin
• 03 Lewington
• 05 MacKenzie
• 12 Chicksen Booked
• 07 Gleeson
• 08 Potter
• 11 Smith (O'Shea - 60' )
• 13 Williams
• 17 Powell
• 09 Bowditch
• 10 MacDonald (Ibehre - 76' )

Substitutes

• 16 McLoughlin
• 04 Doumbe
• 15 Flanagan
• 23 O'Shea
• 19 Ibehre

Huddersfield Town

• 13 Bennett
• 02 Woods (T Clarke - 51' )
• 05 P Clarke Booked
• 15 Morrison
• 32 Hunt
• 11 Ward
• 14 Johnson
• 16 Arfield (Higginbotham - 27' )
• 18 Miller Booked
• 17 Rhodes (Lee - 84' )
• 21 Novak

Substitutes

• 01 Smithies
• 12 T Clarke
• 22 Robinson
• 19 Lee
• 27 Higginbotham

Ref: Deadman

Att: 11,893

Match Stats

Possession

60 40

Shots

8 7

On track

4 4

Corners

12 1

Fouls

7 9

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +7:24 Full time

Full Time The overall whistle goes and the sport is over.

90:00 +6:23

Jabo Ibehre takes a shot. Save by Ian Bennett.

90:00 +3:12

Jabo Ibehre challenges Peter Clarke unfairly and offers away a free kick. Free kick taken by Ian Bennett.

89:44

Kallum Higginbotham takes the direct free kick.

89:44 Booking

Booking Adam Chicksen shown a yellow card.

89:29

Adam Chicksen challenges Damien Johnson unfairly and offers away a free kick.

88:43

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Alan Lee by Dean Lewington. Daniel Ward takes the direct free kick.

85:29

Foul by James O'Shea on Tommy Miller, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Lee Novak.

83:35 Substitution

Substitution Alan Lee joins the action as an alternative, replacing Jordan Rhodes.

79:44

The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by David Martin.

79:18

Corner from left by-line taken by James O'Shea.

78:49

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by James O'Shea from the left by-line, Sean Morrison makes a clearance.

76:14

Corner taken left-footed by Shaun Williams, Lee Novak makes a clearance.

75:18

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Dean Bowditch.

75:18 Substitution

Substitution Jabo Ibehre comes on instead of Charlie MacDonald.

72:16

Assist by Kallum Higginbotham.

72:16 Goal scored

Goal - Jack Hunt - MK Dons 0 - 2 Huddersfld Jack Hunt finds the back of the internet with a goal from the sting of the penalty box to the base right corner of the goal. Milton Keynes Dons 0-2 Huddersfield.

69:11

Shaun Williams restarts play with the free kick.

69:11 Booking

Booking Tommy Miller is given a yellow card.

68:51

Free kick awarded for a bad by Tommy Miller on Daniel Powell.

65:42

Effort from the sting of the penalty area by Lee Novak goes wide of the left-hand post.

65:10

Corner taken short by Dean Bowditch.

64:37

Corner taken by Dean Bowditch from the left by-line, Ian Bennett makes a save.

63:58

Peter Clarke handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Shaun Williams takes the direct free kick.

62:00

The referee blows for offside. David Martin restarts play with the free kick.

61:09

James O'Shea produces a right-footed shot from long distance which matches wide right of the goal.

59:41 Substitution

Substitution James O'Shea joins the action as an alternative, replacing Alan Smith.

57:26

Effort from the brink of the world by Dean Bowditch goes wide of the left-hand post.

55:25

Unfair challenge on Jordan Rhodes by Shaun Williams leads to a free kick. Kallum Higginbotham restarts play with the free kick.

53:33

Free kick awarded for a bad by Damien Johnson on Dean Bowditch. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Stephen Gleeson from left channel, Tom Clarke manages to make a clearance.

52:53

Corner taken right-footed by Dean Bowditch from the left by-line, save by Ian Bennett.

51:10

Inswinging corner taken by Shaun Williams from the proper by-line, clearance by Sean Morrison.

50:07

Corner from the correct by-line taken by Shaun Williams, clearance by Sean Morrison.

50:07 Substitution

Substitution Tom Clarke is prompted as a replacement for Calum Woods.

45:35

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Adam Chicksen by Kallum Higginbotham. Centre by Shaun Williams, Shot from 6 yards from Dean Lewington. Ian Bennett makes a save.

45:01

The second one half begins.

45:00 +2:11 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to signal half-time.

45:00 +1:23

Kallum Higginbotham gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Adam Chicksen. Adam Chicksen restarts play with the free kick.

45:00 +0:08

The referee blows for offside against Alan Smith. Ian Bennett restarts play with the free kick.

41:19

Dean Lewington fouled by Jordan Rhodes, the ref awards a free kick. David Martin takes the direct free kick.

40:05

Foul by Darren Potter on Daniel Ward, free kick awarded. Jack Hunt takes the direct free kick.

38:57

Dean Bowditch produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the perfect of the goal.

37:54

Charlie MacDonald takes a shot. Blocked by Calum Woods. Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Dean Bowditch, clearance by Peter Clarke. Corner from the proper by-line taken by Shaun Williams, clearance by Sean Morrison.

37:25

Foul by Sean Morrison on Dean Bowditch, free kick awarded. Stephen Gleeson takes the free kick.

34:18

Tommy Miller has an effort at goal from just outside the box which matches wide of the left-hand post.

31:52

Assist by Lee Novak.

31:52 Goal scored

Goal - Jordan Rhodes - MK Dons 0 - 1 Huddersfld Jordan Rhodes finds the online with a headed goal from contained in the box. Milton Keynes Dons 0-1 Huddersfield.

31:37

Kallum Higginbotham takes a shot. Save by David Martin.

26:33 Substitution

Substitution Kallum Higginbotham on for Scott Arfield.

24:08

Dean Bowditch crosses the ball in from the free kick, save by Ian Bennett.

24:08 Booking

Booking Peter Clarke goes into the referee's book.

23:46

Peter Clarke gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Alan Smith.

19:54

Daniel Ward takes a shot from 18 yards. Save made by David Martin.

19:31

Effort from 35 yards by Shaun Williams. Save made by Ian Bennett.

18:03

Damien Johnson concedes a free kick for a nasty on Daniel Powell. Darren Potter takes the free kick.

15:54

Jordan Rhodes gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Shaun Williams. Free kick taken by David Martin.

13:25

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Daniel Ward from the proper by-line, Alan Smith makes a clearance.

12:24

Handball by Daniel Powell. Direct free kick taken by Ian Bennett.

11:26

Calum Woods has an effort at goal from long range that misses to the fitting of the goal.

7:44

Darren Potter gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Damien Johnson. Free kick taken by Jack Hunt.

6:59

Alan Smith produces a right-footed shot from the sting of the box and misses to the left of the goal.

2:55

The ball is distributed over by Jack Hunt, save made by David Martin.

0:18

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Dean Bowditch.

0:00

The ref blows the whistle to start out the match.

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