Sam Nombe's late header ended Stevenage's 13-game unbeaten home run with a 1-0 defeat for the League One side. The MK Dons striker scored his first league goal in six years to secure all three points for the visitors on a wet and windy Saturday. The result leaves Stevenage 13th in League One on 15 points after 11 games, a record of four wins, three draws and four losses.
Nombe found the net in the 81st minute, meeting a cross from Aaron Collins to head past the goalkeeper. The decisive moment came after a mistake from Stevenage's Dan Phillips, who lost possession in midfield, allowing the chance to be created. The goal was a sucker-punch for a Stevenage side that had created several opportunities of its own.
Stevenage's near misses
Josh Magennis and Jack Sanders both forced saves from the MK Dons keeper, with one header tipped over the bar. Ben Broggio also fired through a crowd from a free-kick, while the woodwork denied the visitors earlier in the second half. Stevenage came closest to scoring before the break but could not find a way through. Manager Steve Evans lamented his team's inability to convert their chances, stating they were the better side for large periods of the game.
Nombe, who had last scored a league goal on New Year's Day 2020, spoke afterwards about his long wait. "I had a great feeling about it today," the 27-year-old said. "It was just about timing, it was coming, I'm so glad it was today." He added that he was ecstatic the goal came with three points, giving his team belief they could compete against a good Stevenage side. MK Dons manager Mike Williamson praised Nombe's perseverance and the team's defensive resilience to secure a clean sheet away from home.
The result leaves Stevenage 13th in the League One standings with 15 points from 11 games. Their recent form reads LWLWW, with this loss following a 3-0 win over Plymouth. They are now ten points behind leaders Huddersfield Town. MK Dons, meanwhile, move up to 9th place with 17 points, continuing their own positive run of form. This season, Stevenage have scored 15 goals and conceded 11, giving them a goal difference of plus four.
Steve Evans's men must regroup quickly ahead of a trip to face Leicester City on Saturday, 31 October. The focus now shifts to ending a run of two defeats in their last three league outings. Evans confirmed there were no new injury concerns from the match but acknowledged the need for greater ruthlessness in front of goal. The last meeting with Leicester ended in a 2-1 victory for Stevenage on 6 October, a result they will hope to replicate away from home. Their recent form over the last five games is three wins and two losses.
More detail at miltonkeynes.co.uk
