Milton Keynes Dons battled back from a goal down to claim a 1-1 draw against visitors Burton Albion in an early kick-off at Stadium MK.
In a crucial bottom-of-the-table tilt at Stadium MK, it ended all square as the Dons fought back from an early penalty in the first half to steal a draw thanks to a Bradley Johnson header.
The opening five minutes of the match were largely even between the two sides, with the majority of play in and around the halfway line, until the Dons finally began to press forward, earning a flurry of corners in quick succession - registering their first shot before the ten-minute mark.
The visitors forced the issue moments later, earning a corner but the Dons continued to make their mark on the game, with Conor Grant attempting an effort from range after a well-worked move in the final third. Mo Eisa had his own attempt just after the first 15 minutes, cutting inside from the left flank and curling a shot just wide.
Momentum shifted, however, after the Dons conceded a penalty in the 26th minute. Daniel Harvie had been injured and lay on the ground in the build-up, with play continuing and McEachran giving away the spot kick. Despite Cumming going the right way, the visitors took the lead through Victor Adeboyejo.
Dons came close to equalising in the 39th minute when Harvie sent a strong cross inside the box, picking out Eisa who connected and forced Garratt into an awkward save from close range. Despite a further six minutes of added time for the numerous injury stoppages in the first half, the Dons could not find a way back and went into the break a goal down.
The Dons began the second half brightly, with Nathan Holland sending a ball deep into the visitors' box in the first couple of minutes, trying to find a way to build momentum. They continued to put pressure at the right end of the pitch, but their final pass or cutting edge was lacking.
They had a genuine chance to even things up when Eisa was brought down on the edge of the area, winning a free kick, but Eisa's effort sailed comfortably over the crossbar without ever challenging the keeper.
The Dons kept knocking on the door as Tennai Watson stole the ball and sent in a threatening cross, only for no one to get on the end of it. Holland circulated it back in, with an initial shot blocked before Barry saw his effort go wide.
Burton were lucky to keep 11 men on the pitch as Tyler Onyango pulled Nathan Holland down, receiving a booking, before cutting down Dawson Devoy from behind after the ensuing free kick. He was promptly substituted to avoid the visitors losing a man.
The Dons had a good break after Watson knocked over Deji Oshilaja before picking out Holland down the left. Holland sent a pass over to Barry on the right flank, seeing him cut inside and get a shot away. It was blocked, however, and sent out for a corner.
Needing a goal, the Dons brought on Will Grigg with 17 minutes remaining, providing them with more attacking options up front. Grigg was involved a few minutes after stepping onto the pitch, with Watson picking him out with the perfect cross into the box, with the veteran striker heading the ball just wide of the mark.
The Dons finally found their goal through substituted Bradley Johnson. Dawson Devoy sent the ball deep into the box, with Johnson rushing in from the back and finding the perfect header into the bottom corner and out of reach of Garratt, sending the crowd into rapturous applause.
The goal gave the Dons a renewed purpose, and they certainly began to dominate play as regulation time dwindled down. Into added time, Barry had a great solo effort, narrowly skipping a tackle inside the box to get a shot away on his left foot. Unfortunately, it went over.
The home side's efforts, including a very late corner, were not enough to overcome the deadlock, seeing both teams leave with a point that keeps them battling it out in the relegation zone.
MK Dons Line-Up: Cumming, Watson, O'Hora, Tucker, Harvie, McEachran, Devoy, Grant (73' Grigg), Burns, Holland, Eisa
