Lewington off the mark as Dons boost survival hopes with win over QPR
Dean Lewington's first goal of the season and a late Ben Reeves penalty helped secure a vital 2-0 win for relegation-threatened MK Dons against QPR.
The Dons captain, who last found the net on the final day of their promotion-winning season, netted just after half-time as Karl Robinson's men remained three points point clear of the drop zone.
Reeves wrapped up the points at the death from the spot, after Josh Murphy had missed an earlier penalty for the hosts.
It was the visitors who were the first to threaten as Massimo Luongo's deep corner inside 11 minutes found Connor Washington lurking at the back post.
Washington, a B#2.5million signing from Peterborough in January, took the ball under control brilliantly before finding defender Nedum Onuoha, but his attempt was well blocked by the Dons defence.
Luongo was next to go close for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's side after receiving the ball on the edge of the Dons area, the Australian drilling a strike just wide of David Martin's right-hand post on 30 minutes.
The Dons recorded their first meaningful chance of the game five minutes later. Murphy did excellently down the right wing to skip past a number of challenges before finding Darren Potter lurking in space on the edge of the area, but he fired his first-time shot well over the bar.
QPR had dominated the majority of the first half and wasted another chance to take the lead minutes before the break as Abdenasser El Khayati's curling effort flew just wide.
But Robinson's side came out from the break with intent and had the Rangers defence scrambling before Lewington smashed the hosts in front.
Alex Revell had a downward header from six-yards cleared off the line by Gabriele Angella less than a minute after the restart before winger Murphy slid an inviting pass across the area that evaded three Dons attackers.
But Lewington fired them in front four minutes after the restart with a left-footed strike from the edge of the area.
The hosts almost snatched a second 15 minutes from time after second-half substitute Samir Carruthers beat two defenders before shooting across the face of Alex Smithies' goal. Murphy was lurking at the back post, but El Khayati was there to clear.
The visitors went close themselves minutes later when a loose ball in the Dons area found Rangers defender James Perch, who fired towards goal, but Lewington made the block.
The hosts were awarded a penalty four minutes from time when Paul Konchesky brought down Murphy, but the Norwich loanee's weak effort was easily saved by Smithies.
The Rangers keeper was beaten minutes later, though. Rob Hall earned a second penalty for the Dons, Reeves this time stepping up and making no mistake.
Source: PA
