MX23RW : Saturday, November 23 03:22:05| >> :600:642633:642633:

Live Commentary: Milton Keynes Dons vs. Huddersfield Town

Follow live updates of today's League One playoff semi-final between Milton Keynes Dons and Huddersfield Town, courtesy of Sports Mole.

Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of today's League One playoff semi-final between Milton Keynes Dons and Huddersfield Town.

Huddersfield ended the league campaign in fourth position, one place and one point ahead of Milton Keynes.

The away side boast, arguably, the best player in the league among their ranks, with Jordan Rhodes striking 36 league goals this season.

Both of this season's meetings between the two ended in 1-1 draws, while Huddersfield have not lost to the Dons since August 2008.

>Full team news for the match

(Please refresh this page for the latest updates)

So there we have it, Huddersfield will take a two-goal lead into the second leg of their League One playoff semi-final with MK Dons. The away side certainly dominated the opening half, and lead 1-0 at the break courtesy of Rhodes. The home side improved after the interval, but they could not force their opener, and were subsequently hit on the counter by a fine strike from Hunt. Our full report of the match can be found here. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the coverage.

FULL-TIME: MK Dons 0-2 Huddersfield

90 min+7: Chance! What an opportunity for Ibehre to grab a goal back for the home side with a header, but Bennett produces a fine save from close range.

90 min+5: Still the home side search for that elusive strike, but they simply have not carried a big enough goal threat this afternoon.

90 min+3: It's the away side who attack in the final moments of the match.

90 min: We will play an additional seven minutes of stoppage time.

90 min: It's a really poor challenge from Chicksen, who catches Johnson with a late foot. Huddersfield have the ball in the Dons' half in the final minute of normal play.

88 min: Little over two minutes of normal time remaining this afternoon, with the Dons currently occupying possession.

86 min: It's all gone a bit scrappy in the last 10 or so minutes. That second goal has really knocked the stuffing out of the home side, and they just cannot keep possession.

84 min: Change for Huddersfield as Alan Lee replaces Rhodes.

84 min: It's been ever so comfortable for Huddersfield in the last few minutes, with their defence heading every ball clear.

82 min: Little over 10 minutes remaining in the match. Can the home side force a glimmer of hope?

80 min: We have just seen a replay of Huddersfield's second goal, and it might have been disallowed due to Novak's involvement when he had been off the field of play. He returned to take part in the attack, without a clear message from the referee.

80 min: We are back underway following the stoppage, and Clarke has returned to the fold.

77 min: Stoppage in play due to a head injury for Huddersfield defender Clarke.

76 min: Change for the Dons as MacDonald is replaced by Jabo Ibehre.

76 min: Chance for the home side as MacDonald fires from the edge of the box, but it deflects wide.

74 min: And there it is, you could almost feel a Huddersfield goal coming. The home side really needed to score in the early stages of the half, but they just could not take their opportunities.

Huddersfield move into a 2-0 lead in the match as Higginbotham finds Hunt in the box, and the defender strikes a wonderful effort into the bottom corner.

73 min: GOAL! MK Dons 0-2 Huddersfield (Hunt)

72 min: Worry for the away side as Novak hits the deck with a suspected knock, but he is up and ready to continue.

70 min: The second period has certainly belonged to the Dons, but you almost get the feeling that Huddersfield will nick one on the counter. 20 remaining here at Stadium mk.

68 min: It's good work from Ward, who denies Lewington. He finds Novak, but the striker's pass is just too long for the former Bolton Wanderers man. Really good counter-attack play from the away side.

66 min: Chance! Wonderful chance for Novak to move Huddersfield into a 2-0 lead, but the striker fires inches wide of the post after a delicate header from Rhodes.

66 min: Another chance for the home side as the ball falls to Powell in the box, but his strike is denied by Morrison.

64 min: So nearly a chance for the away side as Novak controls the ball and finds Rhodes, but his pass is too short for Ward. It's the Dons who push forward with 30 remaining.

62 min: O'Shea's first real involvement as he strikes from distance, but it does little to worry Bennett.

60 min: Change for the home side as Smith is replaced by James O'Shea.

60 min: So nearly a chance for MacDonald as he advances into the Huddersfield box, but it's really good work from Tom Clarke who clears the danger.

58 min: Snap-shot from Bowditch as the Dons continue to push forward, but still they remain 1-0 behind.

56 min: Good work from Rhodes, who relieves the pressure on his side by winning a free kick in the opposing half. First real spell with the ball for Grayson's side.

54 min: Another chance for the home side as MacKenzie meets a Lewington cross, but his header is collected by Bennett.

52 min: The home side force an series of early corners, but again it's strong defending from Clarke. The Dons are undoubtedly on top in the early stages of the second 45 minutes.

51 min: Change for Huddersfield as Woods is replaced by Tom Clarke.

50 min: Another chance for the home side as Bowditch advances into the box. He is denied by Clarke, before Powell is denied by Bennett.

49 min: Much better start to the second period from the Dons, but you get the feeling that they need to score while on top.

47 min: Good start from the home side as Chicksen is brought down by Woods Williams's cross finds Dean Lewington, but Bennett makes a wonderful save to deny him at close range.

46 min: We are underway in the second period. Can the home side mount a response?

So there we have it, a strike from Rhodes after 32 minutes has given Huddersfield a 1-0 lead over MK Dons at the break. In truth, the away side have played the better football, and looked the most likely to take the lead. I'm expecting a response from the home side in the second period, but they must battle through a stern Huddersfield defence. Our report of the opening 45 minutes can be found here.

HALF-TIME: MK Dons 0-1 Huddersfield

45 min: We will play an additional two minutes at the end of the half with Huddersfield leading 1-0.

43 min: Possession play from the Dons as we approach the final stages of the half, but they just cannot find a way through a stern Huddersfield defence.

41 min: It just hasn't quite fallen for the home side in the opening half of football, with Clarke and Sean Morrison heading everything away in the Huddersfield defence.

38 min: Chance for the Dons as Stephen Gleeson finds Charlie MacDonald in the box, but his effort is just deflected wide of the post.

37 min: So nearly a chance for the home side to level the match as Daniel Powell evades Woods, but Bennett is on hand to clear the danger.

35 min: The away side continue to drive forward in the latter stages of the match - that goal has really given them confidence.

Huddersfield take the lead just past the half-hour mark in the match as Lee Novak finds the head of Rhodes, and the hitman makes no mistake from close range.

32 min: GOAL! MK Dons 0-1 Huddersfield (Rhodes)

32 min: Chance for Higginbotham to open the scoring inside the box, but his effort is pushed away by Martin.

30 min: The match has settled down somewhat after a lively opening, with both sides refusing to commit too many men forward.

28 min: Really nice work from Jack Hunt as he searches out Rhodes in the box, but Williams is on hand to clear the danger.

27 min: Early change for Huddersfield as Arfield is replaced by Kallum Higginbotham.

25 min: It comes to nothing, however, as Dean Bowditch's cross is collected by Bennett. 25 minutes of football played, but we still remain 0-0.

24 min: It's really nice work from Smith who evades Peter Clarke outside the box, and the Huddersfield man can only pull him to the ground. Free kick to the home side in a dangerous position.

22 min: It's poor from MacKenzie, who gives possession straight back to the away side. Huddersfield are beginning to take control of this match.

20 min: Williams is allowed to step out of defence, but his 35-yard strike is collected by Bennett. Huddersfield immediately advance down the other end but Ward's shot is beaten away by Martin.

18 min: There's a really balanced look to the Huddersfield side this afternoon, with Damien Johnson and Tommy Miller passing the ball with ease in the early stages. Meanwhile, MK Dons' attacking threat has settled down.

16 min: So nearly a chance for Huddersfield as Arfield searches out Rhodes in the box, but Gary MacKenzie clears the danger.

15 min: Huddersfield are playing with plenty of width in the early stages, while Smith looks the home side's biggest threat.

13 min: Another chance for the away side as Rhodes meets a cross in the box, but it's good defending from Williams.

12 min: Chance! Clearest opening of the match for Huddersfield as Calum Woods strikes from distance, but the ball just evades Rhodes in the box.

11 min: We really do have two lovely footballing sides on display this afternoon, and that has been demonstrated by the quality of the passing.

9 min: End-to-end stuff in the opening 10 minutes of play, but it's the home side who have made the best of their advanced positions thus far.

7 min: It's really good movement from Smith who collects a pass from Shaun Williams, but his shot is just high of the bar.

6 min: It's really nice work from the Dons as Adam Chicksen collects the ball on the right, but his cross is just too near to Ian Bennett.

5 min: It's the away side who have gained early control of the ball this afternoon, but they have yet to force a chance.

3 min: Nice work from Scott Arfield as he searches out Lee Novak in the box, but the ball is collected by Dons goalkeeper David Martin.

2 min: The first shot of the afternoon falls to the home side in the shape of Alan Smith, but it's wide of the target.

1 min: Here we go then, it's MK Dons who get us underway at Stadium mk. The home side force a corner inside the opening minute, but it's too long and drifts behind.

12.25: Today's referee is Darren Deadman on this glorious afternoon in Milton Keynes. I've got a feeling for Huddersfield, but I am certainly expecting a tight game.

12.15: The players are out on the pitch ahead of today's crucial League One encounter. Can Huddersfield go one better than last year, or will the Dons ruin Simon Grayson's party?

ID:27070: cacheID:27070:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:13647:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Jordan Rhodes
Read Next:
League One, Two round-up
>
Read more about Jordan Rhodes Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Port Vale1610332416833
2Crewe AlexandraCrewe158431913628
3Doncaster RoversDoncaster168442218428
4Walsall1483327151227
5MK Dons168352719827
6Notts County167632315827
7Grimsby Town168171925-625
8AFC Wimbledon1472523131023
9Bradford CityBradford166552117423
10Gillingham157261612423
11Chesterfield165742920922
12BarrowBarrow166461715222
13Fleetwood TownFleetwood145632015521
14Cheltenham TownCheltenham176382225-321
15Salford City165651518-321
16Newport CountyNewport166281926-720
17Accrington StanleyAccrington164662226-418
18Harrogate TownHarrogate165381422-818
19Tranmere RoversTranmere154561018-817
20Bromley153751719-216
21Colchester UnitedColchester152851822-414
22Swindon TownSwindon162771825-713
23Carlisle UnitedCarlisle1633101429-1512
24Morecambe1624101427-1310


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!