Paul Warne pleased with MK Dons display in win over Harrogate

Manager Paul Warne felt MK Dons were worthy winners after they came from behind to beat Harrogate 4-1 and extend their unbeaten run to 11 League Two games.

Harrogate took the lead after 25 minutes when Tobias Brenan pounced after Jack Evans’ initial strike was saved.

MK Dons equalised four minutes later as Rushian Hepburn-Murphy scored the rebound after his initial shot was blocked before Luke Offord headed home Dan Crowley’s corner in first-half added time.

Two goals after the break secured the points for the Dons, Aaron Collins curling home from the edge of the box and Ben Wiles heading in Liam Kelly’s cross.

Victory meant MK Dons won on the day in front of their biggest crowd of the season – 23,456 – following a free ticket giveaway.

Warne’s side are now second, while Harrogate stay bottom after a first defeat in six.

Warne said: “I don’t think the scoreline flattered us but if you’d said after 25-30 minutes that we’d win 4-1, you’d be surprised.

“I’m not being patronising about any team in this league, as every team causes different problems.

“They’re a really fit young side who can play, can move the ball really well along the box, and caused us loads of problems, which I expected.

“They’re a good team whose position in the league isn’t what they have been in the last five or six games.

“I’m not too sure we deserved to go in winning at half-time, that’s the truth, but over the course of the game, I did think we did enough to win and it’s pleasing.

“You can never underestimate opposition so now we go and try to replicate parts of our game on Tuesday night.”

Opposite number Simon Weaver felt parts of Harrogate’s display were good but he was disappointed with the goals conceded.

He said: “Disappointed to lose the game but I didn’t feel like it was a 4-1 defeat.

“I thought we were excellent at times. Of course, we needed to put away more chances so that’s reflected in the scoreline. We gave away uncharacteristically soft goals.

“The lads have been very honest in the changing room straight away and held their hands up to say in terms of the defensive side, they were too soft, those goals, and they’re moments we’ve got to do better.

“I thought we were probably a little excitable from going a goal ahead and the organisational set-up and structure just went awry a little bit for five minutes.

“That’s what it takes for them to get the home crowd going and puncture us with their passing.

“That’s something for us to definitely recognise and review to learn from it.”