Wednesday 18 February 2015 11:43, UK
MK Dons boss Karl Robinson believes his promotion-chasing side have "tremendous momentum" following the 1-0 victory at Colchester.
The Dons moved up to second in League One after Dele Alli's solitary goal just before half-time separated the sides at the Weston Homes Community Stadium. Robinson was delighted and said: "It was a massive game and we had to hang on. I told the players before the game that you need to play with no fear and show an aggression and determination that this really means something to you. "I think we did it in the right way. Every one of my players deserves a pat on the back, every single one of them. "And my staff, as well, because it's difficult when you compete at the top end of the table. "Every game gets scrutinised and judged far more. We get criticised by fans. I do as a manager. First they don't like you, then they love you, then they hate you again. It's like being married. It's never a smooth ride. There's criticism all the time. "We have to be big enough and broad enough to take that. "I'm really pleased to finish this three-game period on the road with a win because it gives us tremendous momentum moving forward for future games." Colchester had made a bright start thanks to efforts from Gavin Massey and Chris Porter. But it was the visitors, having gone close through Jordan Spence's header, who took the lead after 44 minutes. A free-kick was only half-cleared and played back into the area. With the home defence calling for offside, Alli ran through unchallenged and had the simple task of slotting past goalkeeper Sam Walker. Colchester continued to give their fans hope after the break, not least on the hour-mark when Massey's spectacular volley from the right was palmed away by the diving Ian McLoughlin. But the Dons, who knew they could go second, always looked capable of a second and Carl Baker's low drive forced a save from Walker. However, there were no more goals and it was the visitors left celebrating at the final whistle. Colchester boss Tony Humes felt there was nothing between the sides but admitted one of his players "shirked responsibility" for the goal. "There was nothing in the game, right from the start," he said. "MK Dons may have had a lot of possession but they never massively hurt us. "We showed them a bit too much respect in the first half but in the second we got among them a bit more, without creating too much. "We've got to have a bit more penetration in the final third, though, which we didn't have. "MK Dons dealt with everything we threw at them and, overall, I was pleased with how we contained them. "However, someone shirked their responsibility for the goal. We haven't got much from our home games so we knew how important it was to be collectively tight. It hasn't happened for us but we've just got to get on with it. "We've got to go again at the weekend believing we can get something from the game."
