Troy Parrott and MK Dons took a huge step in their Championship promotion push on Tuesday evening with an important 2-1 win over Crewe. In top form in recent weeks to cement their place in the League One play-offs, Liam Manning's side leapfrogged Rotherham United and jumped into second courtesy of their latest victory.
Now one point behind league leaders Wigan Athletic and two ahead of Rotherham, MK Dons have actually played two more games than their rivals but their three points does indeed pile the pressure on ahead of the final few weeks of the season. Struggling in his loan spells with Millwall and Ipswich Town in 2020/21, Parrott's switch from Tottenham to MK Dons has worked wonders for him and the confidence is flowing in his game.
Perhaps not in and amongst the goals over the course of the season despite two strikes in his first three games, the frontman has still made a huge contribution to his team and has played a major role in their rise up the table. Ending a four-month goal drought with a double against Cheltenham Town at the beginning of last month, Parrott was also the hero on international duty for Republic of Ireland in March's international break.
READ MORE: Giovani Lo Celso's role in Fabio Paratici solving Antonio Conte's Tottenham transfer priority
Having drawn 2-2 against Belgium at the Aviva Stadium, the 20-year-old netted the winner three days later against Lithuania deep into stoppage time. Taking the ball down just outside the box, Parrot unleashed a venomous drive that flew into the bottom corner to give the goalkeeper no chance.
Parrott is just oozing with confidence and that was present to see in Tuesday's win over Crewe as he netted the opener. Following a long ball over the top from long-serving defender Dean Lewington, Parrott burst past his marker and brought the ball down expertly on his right foot 18 yards from goal, before letting it bounce and then lifting it over the advancing goalkeeper with his left foot
It was the striker at his very best and it was no surprise to see the MK Dons players mob him and Lewington for their roles in the opener. Parrott's strike subsequently did the rounds on social media and many Tottenham fans were waxing lyrical about his sublime finish.
His goal and recent form will also have gone down extremely well at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, especially after his struggles at both Millwall and Ipswich Town last campaign. A big summer for the player as he returns to Tottenham and looks to take the next step in his quest to becoming a first-team regular at Spurs, all Parrott will be focused on first of all is MK Dons' finish to the campaign.
Having played two games more than Wigan and Rotherham, all the Buckinghamshire club can do is keep putting pressure on their rivals and hope to take advantage of any dropped points between now and the final day. Flourishing at MK Dons and on the scoresheet at the right time in the season, Parrott could well have a big say in his club's promotion push before he makes his return to Tottenham Hotspur in time for pre-season training.
