MK Dons see two goal lead disappear in Grimsby draw

MK Dons played out a 2-2 draw away at Grimsby Town despite leading 2-0 with half an hour to go.

The Dons had taken a two goal lead through goals by Callum Paterson and Marvin Ekpiteta, but a brace from Grimsby’s Jaze Kabia wiped out the Dons’ advantage.

A draw did see the Dons resist Grimsby’s attempts to grab a sixth straight League Two win, though results elsewhere saw them fall to 4th in the table after starting the weekend 2nd.

MK Dons had arrived in Lincolnshire chasing a fourth straight win, but in a big test against another side in good form at the top end of the fourth tier.

The Dons began in a busy manner, with Ben Wiles and Aaron Collins, and it would be the visitors that broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute. A slight clip by Sam Lavelle on Collins in the box was called as a foul, and Paterson scored the penalty for his fifth goal in three games. The goal was the first Grimsby had conceded in a league game since Christmas.

Six minutes later, MK Dons doubled their lead. Grimsby failed to clear a set-piece, and Ekpiteta’s shot took a big deflection off Harvey Rodgers to find its way into the back of the net.

Grimsby would have a goal disallowed shortly after the Dons’ second strike when Kabia headed in George McEachran’s cross from an offside position.

MK Dons retained their lead at the break and were still 2-0 up with less than 30 minutes of the 90 to go. At this point, however, Grimsby would move back to within one. McEachran’s cross went through to Kabia at the back post and the Mariners’ man duly poked it past Craig MacGillivray.

Eight minutes after equalising, Grimsby would draw level, with Kabia grabbing his second as he headed in Reece Staunton’s corner.

Despite ten minutes of stoppage time, neither side could find a winner, with Grimsby having forward momentum but they struggled to create chances as the points ultimately wound up being shared.

Although the Dons had the agitation of not picking up the points, they would at least make it 5 unbeaten in a row, and will look to return to winning ways next time out against Cheltenham.