John Sheridan praises Fleetwood’s character

Posted Sunday, February 25, 2018 by PA

Fleetwood boss John Sheridan was pleased with the way his new side refused to crumble as they ended an eight match losing run with a 1-1 draw against MK Dons.

Sheridan took over from Uwe Rosler on Thursday but his new reign started badly as Town conceded in the 20th minute to Robbie Muirhead.

But rather than give up his team rallied and bounced back as Ashley Hunter’s 54th-minute strike ensured Town bagged their first point in over a month.

The draw left Fleetwood one point above the League One relegation zone.

Sheridan said: “Chances wise I think we had the better chances.

“The pleasing thing for me when you are a team at the bottom and you are after results and after going a goal down is the way the players responded.

“They could have gone one way or the other and I thought we went the way I wanted us to. We responded really well, positive, we got back in the game.

“I’m pleased we haven’t lost any ground and they haven’t gained anything on us.

“Obviously I’d have loved to have won the game but I think the performance was good and their keeper has made some excellent saves.

“(And the point) stops that bad run of results. It gets that monkey off your back and it is a good point but it is one game at a time.

“We have just got to stay out of the bottom four. That is my aim and that is what I’m looking for.”

Fleetwood forward Conor McAleny had numerous chances late on to win it but he was thwarted by Dons goalkeeper Lee Nicholls.

Dons boss Dan Micciche says that is all part of Nicholls’ job and was pleased with his side’s attacking play.

He said: “Any game you have at this level, especially away from home you are going to expect them to have a shot or two.

“Their front players have got good technique, they showed that with the goal and that is what Lee is there for.

“We expect him to make big saves in any game and he did really well with those shots but I felt we had the better of the attacking play. I felt comfortable.”

Micchie felt the Dons should have had a penalty when Ike Ugbo tumbled under pressure from Alex Cairns before the Muirhead strike.

He said: “We knew the place would be upbeat, Robbie scores and people can forget about that but it was a clear penalty and it is unfortunate we could not score that second goal at a crucial time.”