Joey Barton believes MK Dons manager Liam Manning paid Bristol Rovers "ultimate respect" with his conservative tactics and team selection on Tuesday. The Dons posed very little threat to Rovers' goal throughout the game at Stadium MK, which was decided 14 minutes from time by an Antony Evans penalty.
After a run of four defeats in five games going into the contest, MK were clearly short of confidence, but instead of mustering a response they were almost completely contained by the Gas. Rovers narrowly edged the possession battle, but the starkest differences were in territory and attacking intent, with the Gas rarely kept in their own third and they took 13 shots to the home side's four.
The victory – Rovers' third in succession in all competitions – lifted the Gas to 15th in the League One standings, although they have played at least one more game than most of their rivals around them in mid-table. Barton said it was clear even before kick-off that MK's priority was dealing with the front three of Aaron Collins, Ryan Loft and Josh Coburn, rather than inflicting damage at the opposite end of the pitch.
