Milton Keynes Dons delivered a commanding performance to beat Crawley Town 4-1 in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night. The win gives them a strong start in the competition's group stage.
Ben Wiles opened the scoring three minutes before half-time, and Jack Sanders doubled the lead on the stroke of the interval. Daniel Barlaser provided the assist for Sanders' goal. Elijah Campbell extended the advantage just after the hour mark, again set up by Barlaser, before Rushian Hepburn-Murphy converted a penalty with twenty minutes remaining. Nathan Tinsdale scored a late consolation for Crawley in stoppage time.
Manager Paul Warne made several changes to his side, which currently sits 22nd in League One with six points from seven games. The team lined up in a 3-1-4-2 formation, with Warren Dennis in goal and a back three of Marvin Ekpiteta, Sanders and Campbell. The victory provides a welcome boost ahead of the weekend's league fixture.
The match saw a flurry of second-half substitutions from both sides. Ibrahim Fullah, Jay Matete and Crawley's Jude Robertson and Justin Ferizaj were all shown yellow cards in a competitive first half. Milton Keynes Dons edged possession with 55 percent and created more chances, registering 17 shots to Crawley's 13.
The team's next match is at home to Bromley on Saturday, September 26th. Bromley are currently 19th in the table, offering another opportunity for Warne's side to build momentum. The comprehensive win moves MK Dons into a promising position in their EFL Trophy group.
