Burnley withstood a late rally from MK Dons to book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup after a 2-1 win.
Alexander and Fletcher goals send Clarets through
Burnley withstood a late rally from MK Dons to book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup after a 2-1 win at the League One outfit.
Graham Alexander converted a 23rd minute penalty for the Clarets, who were cruising at half-time after Steven Fletcher added a second for Owen Coyle's men.
MK Dons set up a nervy finish for the Premier League side after Dean Morgan scored in the 89th minute, but the hosts were unable to conjure up an equaliser.
Dons manager Paul Ince won the famous competition twice as a Manchester United player and saw his side compete well before Fletcher won a 23rd-minute penalty.
Fletcher cut in from the right byline and after beating one defender was tripped by Mathias Doumbe, leaving referee Tony Bates little option but to point to the spot.
Alexander stepped up and was his usual reliable self, smashing home off the right-hand post to give the Clarets the lead.
Robbie Blake came close to a second just after the half-hour mark after more good work from Fletcher.
Fletcher won a header to find Blake in space on the left of the area, and after a lovely turn deceived Luke Howell he sent in a shot which was well blocked by a sprawling Dons defender.
Kicked into gear
Burnley had kicked into gear and the impressive Fletcher doubled the lead in the 35th minute.
Chris Eagles seized on a loose Doumbe pass in midfield and slid Fletcher in on goal with a fabulous through-ball.
Fletcher cut inside onto his left foot and arrowed a low shot through goalkeeper Willy Gueret and into the back of the net.
Burnley started the second period in impressive style and came close to a third goal when Wade Elliott struck the crossbar.
A Blake free-kick hit the wall and Elliott smashed the loose ball past Gueret and against the woodwork.
Fletcher headed a free-kick onto the roof of the net and should have sealed the win after great play by Eagles.
Eagles tormented Dons captain Dean Lewington before picking out Fletcher with a perfect cross which the Scot headed powerfully past Gueret - only to see the ball strike the post.
The sizeable away fans were busy singing Coyle's name - as well as disparaging that of near neighbours Bolton - as the half progressed before the hosts came to life.
Peter Leven and substitute Luke Chadwick were both denied by goalkeeper Brian Jensen as Ince's side threw caution to the wind.
Jude Stirling was thrown on with 10 minutes to go and saw a volley with his first touch well blocked as the home side piled on the pressure.
And Stirling was the provider in the 89th minute when his cross was smashed home by substitute Morgan off the underside of the crossbar.
But Burnley held on to give Coyle a rare win on the road and join Bolton in the hat for round four.
| MK Dons |
Team Name |
Burnley |
| 51% |
Possession |
49% |
| 1 |
Goals |
2 |
| 7 |
Shots On Target |
3 |
| 5 |
Shots Off Target |
3 |
| 1 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 6 |
Corners |
3 |
| 16 |
Fouls Conceded |
8 |
| 1 |
Offsides |
5 |
| 2 |
Yellow Cards |
0 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
|
