MK Dons boss Paul Warne rues ‘two points dropped’ in home draw with Chesterfield

Paul Warne was disappointed with the “two points dropped” after MK Dons conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to draw 2-2 with Chesterfield.

In one of the only two Sky Bet League Two games to go ahead amid the big freeze, MK Dons had lead 2-0 at half-time.

Callum Paterson scored in the 29th minute as he turned in Aaron Nemane’s cross before Rushian Hepburn-Murphy’s long-range strike double their advantage in the 44th minute.

Sam Curtis, one of three debutants in the Spireites’ starting line-up, pulled a goal back for Chesterfield with a 67th-minute header from Liam Mandeville’s free-kick.

Further drama happened when, in the fourth minute of stoppage time, former Dons striker Will Grigg headed in Mandeville’s corner.

MK Dons missed out on moving up to third place, with Warne feeling his side should have held on for the win.

“I did feel like it was two points dropped today,” the Dons boss said.

“Games are judged by goals and we’ve conceded two late goals, both of which are stoppable, and it feels like a wasted opportunity. I think our performances have deserved more than what we’ve got.

“Overall, I’m disappointed as I think we should’ve accrued more points and that lays at my feet. No-one else’s.

“At 2-0 at half-time, I knew they were going to come at us. I know Paul Cook’s teams are really good and keep the ball really well, but I still didn’t feel as though there was a massive threat.

“To concede a goal with the last kick of the game and especially the manner of it is tough for everyone. But it’s over now, we’ll feel bad about it for a bit then shake it off and not let it happen again or become a habit.”

Chesterfield first-team coach Gary Roberts felt his side were good value for their point.

“Fully deserved in my opinion,” he said. “I thought we pushed on and handled the game really well.

“I thought we were really aggressive, really good with the ball, probed them, and then we threw caution to the wind with the two strikers on. Will Grigg again, which he’s done a lot of times for us, has pulled us out of trouble a little bit.

“I always thought we were going to get goals. I felt they dropped off us because they couldn’t really get us and we pushed on.

“We probably lacked a little bit of penetration and could’ve made some better decisions, but I thought we were in charge of the game coming to this place against a team riddled with good players.

“We’re getting better. We’ve come to a team today really tipped and fancied to blow this league away and I thought we were the best team on the pitch.”