Striker Alex Revell saves a penalty to preserve a point for MK Dons
Striker Alex Revell was the unlikely spot kick-hero as he produced an incredible penalty save to earn 10-man MK Dons a 1-1 draw with Preston, but they still edge ever closer to Sky Bet Championship relegation.
Revell was forced to go in goal with nine minutes remaining after goalkeeper Cody Cropper had been red-carded and MK Dons had used all of their substitutes.
Jermaine Beckford gave Preston a sixth-minute lead but Nicky Maynard levelled for the visitors after 54 minutes before Cropper saw red late in the game but still the Dons hung on for a point.
The hosts had a great chance in the second minute when Ben Pearson won the ball and fed Beckford who, on his first start of the season, scuffed his effort from 18 yards straight at Cropper.
Beckford, who has missed most of the campaign through injury, was back to his clinical best four minutes later. Eoin Doyle's flick-on sent Beckford in behind the Dons defence and he superbly lifted the ball over the onrushing Cropper to give Preston the lead.
But for all Preston's early dominance, MK Dons should have been level in the 18th minute when Jake Forster-Caskey's corner picked out the unmarked Joe Walsh on the penalty spot, but the centre-back headed over the crossbar.
And the Championship's lowest scorers cut Preston open again in the 24th minute but Samir Carruthers failed to control the through ball that would have sent him clean through on goal.
More good build-up play by Preston teed-up Greg Cunningham, who drove into the area and unleashed a shot which was tipped against the post by Cropper.
And a minute later, Darren Potter was forced to head off the line to prevent Doyle's 12-yard header doubling Preston's lead.
Preston returned from the break sloppy and sluggish and were made to pay in the 54th minute. Josh Murphy's low cross was fumbled by Anders Lindegaard and the ball fell to Maynard who held off the challenge of Paul Huntington to poke home from four yards.
Simon Grayson's side almost regained the lead from the kick-off, but Doyle's turn and shot from the edge of the area was held by Cropper.
But the visitors were looking brighter and almost went in front after 58 minutes when Maynard flicked Kyle McFadzean's header goal-wards from four yards but lifted it over the bar.
And they would have gone in front after 70 minutes were it not for a wonderful one-handed save from Lindegaard to keep out McFadzean's strike from close range.
The most dramatic moments of the game came in the 81st minute when Doyle was brought down in the area by Cropper who was sent off and, with MK Dons having used all their subs, striker Revell took the gloves. Joe Garner stepped up for the penalty, which incredibly was saved by Revell to keep the scores level.
Callum Robinson then had a great chance to win it for Preston but he fired over from 12 yards before MK Dons should have snatched victory in added time but Murphy dragged his shot wide from eight yards.
Source: PA
