MK Dons head coach Mark Jackson said it was “heartbreaking” to experience relegation from Sky Bet League One.
His side threw everything at hosts Burton but could not grab a winner in a tense final day contest that finished 0-0, meaning his side were relegated.
Jackson said: “It’s really raw and emotional right now. Heartbreaking. Words can’t describe how we feel and how we feel for the supporters and the club.”
Dons dominated but were kept out by a resilient Burton defence and also the woodwork, substitute Dawson Devoy going closest with a shot that cannoned back off the post.
Jackson continued: “We knew we had to come here and win the game. From minute one we went after the game, created opportunities and chances.
“They (Burton) had to defend for their lives and make blocks on the line. We took the game to them and the only thing we couldn’t do today was put the ball in the back of the net.”
Jackson’s team only lost two of their final eight games but six draws in that run ultimately cost them dearly in a season of fine margins at the bottom of the table.
The Dons boss reflected: “There is a lot of work to do and take stock of. Reflection is a big part of football.
“There were crucial moments over that run, drawing at Cheltenham and at home to Barnsley last week but we knew we had to come here today and win to secure our survival and the boys left everything out on the pitch.
“They did everything we asked of them. You can look at today’s game but we are in the position we are in not due to one game but over the whole of the season.”
Burton boss Dino Maamria was relieved that his side had been safe with three games to go and reflected on a big turnaround that saw the Brewers remain in League One for another season.
“It has been an unbelievable six months,” Maamria said. “We have stuck together as a group and as a club. It has been a massive turnaround.”
Maamria saw his side have a big influence on relegation in the final week of the season and had some sympathies with Jackson’s side.
He explained: “It has been a tough two games against Cambridge and MK Dons this week. Both well-run clubs and we have had to show honest performances in both games.
“I felt we deserved to beat Cambridge on Wednesday but I thought MK Dons were very unlucky today. We defended really well, led by John Brayford who was immense again.
Burton at one point had looked certainties to be relegated themselves but Maamria’s transformation means they can look ahead to next season with optimism.
He added: “We are always in games now. Teams have to work really hard to beat us now.
“That comes from the confidence we have put into the players and all the hard work we have done with them. We have a big rebuilding job now for next season.”
Birmingham 3-1 Wrexham: Stansfield brace hands hosts Hollywood derby bragging rights
Jay Stansfield struck either side of half-time to give 10-man Birimingham a huge 3-1 victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Wrexham on Monday.
A game dubbed the 'Hollywood derby' was given a blockbuster start when Jack Marriot smashed home the opening goal for the visitors with just two minutes on the clock.
But Birmingham's £10million recruit Stansfield soon levelled the scores, being the first to react to Alfie May's effort that was parried into his path by Arthur Okonkwo.
The hosts then took hold of the encounter as May and Taylor Gardner-Hickman went close, but the game entered the break finely poised at St. Andrew's.
However, Blues' dominance prevailed seven minutes after the restart with Stansfield's header picking out the far corner following Alex Cochrane's pinpoint cross.
And the points were sealed just before the hour-mark in stunning fashion as Tomoki Iwata's strike from distance smashed in off the post, much to the delight of minority owner Tom Brady in the stands.
A fiesty conclusion to proceedings saw Chris Davies' side end the game with a man less after Krystian Bielik was shown a second yellow card for a late tackle on Andrew Cannon, but Birmingham were able to hold on for the win.
Data Debrief: The American dream
Much was made of Birmingham's approach to the transfer window after spending £25m in their attempts to return the Championship at the first time of asking, but their biggest investment proved his worth on Monday.
Stansfield notched his first two goals for the club since his permanent switch from Fulham, but the Blues striker also played a starring role in the encounter.
He registered an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.12 to Birmingham's 1.3 total, while he also produced more shots on target (three) and touches in the opposition box (six) than any other player.
Birmingham 3-1 Wrexham: Stansfield brace earns hosts Hollywood derby win
Jay Stansfield struck either side of half-time to give 10-man Birimingham a huge 3-1 victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Wrexham on Monday.
A game dubbed the 'Hollywood derby' was given a blockbuster start when Jack Marriot smashed home the opening goal for the visitors with just two minutes on the clock.
But Birmingham's £10million recruit Stansfield soon levelled the scores, being the first to react to Alfie May's effort that was parried into his path by Arthur Okonkwo.
The hosts then took hold of the encounter as May and Taylor Gardner-Hickman went close, but the game entered the break finely poised at St. Andrew's.
However, Blues' dominance prevailed seven minutes after the restart with Stansfield's header picking out the far corner following Alex Cochrane's pinpoint cross.
And the points were sealed just before the hour-mark in stunning fashion as Tomoki Iwata's strike from distance smashed in off the post, much to the delight of minority owner Tom Brady in the stands.
A fiesty conclusion to proceedings saw Chris Davies' side end the game with a man less after Krystian Bielik was shown a second yellow card for a late tackle on Andrew Cannon, but Birmingham were able to hold on for the win.
Data Debrief: The American dream
Much was made of Birmingham's approach to the transfer window after spending £25m in their attempts to return the Championship at the first time of asking, but their biggest investment proved his worth on Monday.
Stansfield notched his first two goals for the club since his permanent switch from Fulham, but the Blues striker also played a starring role in the encounter.
He registered an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.12 to Birmingham's 1.3 total, while he also produced more shots on target (three) and touches in the opposition box (six) than any other player.
Reggae Boyz winger Kaheim Dixon completes move to Charlton Athletic
Jamaica’s Kaheim Dixon officially joined Charlton Athletic on a four-year contract, as he was unveiled by the League One club on Friday.
Dixon is now Nathan Jones' eighth summer signing and will wear the number 13 jersey at the London-based club, much like he did at Clarendon College.
The talented winger, who was instrumental in Clarendon College’s two titles in last season’s ISSA schoolboys’ football competition, scoring 32 goals complemented by 17 assists, continued to make a name for himself with Jamaica Premier League (JPL) club Arnett Gardens before eventually breaking into the senior Reggae Boyz setup.
Dixon, 19, was first identified by Charlton Athletic through their partner, Mount Pleasant Football Academy, after which his move from Arnett Gardens, for an undisclosed fee, was then assisted by Charlton Athletic’s strong ties to the Reggae Boyz, according to a release on the club’s website.
This, as Dixon’s Reggae Boy teammate Karoy Anderson is a current member of the club, while another Reggae Boy, Michael Hector, recently left after his contract expired.
Dixon, who has two goals in eight appearances for the Reggae Boyz, expressed delight at his move.
“I’m very happy to be here. My first opportunity to go professional is to be at the Addicks. It’s been very good to see Karoy [Anderson], another teammate from my country. I can’t wait to start playing with him,” he said.
Charlton Athletic have won both League One games played so far this season against Wigan Athletic and Leyton Orient and sit fourth in the table.
They host Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, where Dixon could possibly make a debut appearance.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
