MK Dons 2, Huddersfield Town 2

Dec 7 2005 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

TOWN pressed the self-destruct button to turn a victory cruise into a less than successful damage limitation exercise.

Things were going more than OK in MK as Peter Jackson's men netted through Pawel Abott (seven minutes) and Andy Booth (64) to take an apparent grip on the game.

But in a crazy conclusion, Town contrived to give two goals away, have two men sent off, and miss a great chance to snatch what in the context of the previous minutes, would have been an amazing win.

Things started to go wrong when Sussex referee Clive Penton ruled Danny Adams had fouled Gary Smith just outside the area on 81 minutes.

With Adams having already been booked for a first-half foul on Wade Small, there was initial relief when the red card stayed in Mr Penton's pocket.

But from the resultant free-kick, Dons substitute Nicky Rizzo guided the ball beyond a five-man Town wall and to the right of outstretched goalkeeper Paul Rachubka.

Having previously looked more than comfortable, the visitors were suddenly a little jittery.

And just two minutes later, home fans were celebrating a quickfire comeback when Smith held off Mark Hudson's challenge and crossed low from the Dons right for Izale McLeod to sweep the ball home.

Dons now had the upper hand, and Town's troubles increased a minute into the four added on when David Mirfin fouled Smith as he bore down on Craig Morgan's through ball.