Saturday 2 January 2016 19:18, UK
MK Dons manager Karl Robinson refused to blame Antony Kay after the defender's late own goal denied his side their first Sky Bet Championship away win since the opening day of the season in a 1-1 draw with Leeds.
Leeds defender Charlie Taylor's lofted ball into the penalty area was headed beyond goalkeeper David Martin by Kay with three minutes left after Rob Hall's neat first-half finish had looked to have been enough to clinch the visitors all three points.
But Robinson was delighted with his side's performance and in response to being asked how cruel football can be sometimes, he said: "It's the greatest game in the world. That's why it is, because of its unpredictability.
"A team that has come to one of the greatest grounds in the country and performed the way we did, with no fear on a pitch that was difficult - although credit to the groundstaff to get that game on - we can be immensely proud of that performance.
"Let's not talk about the error at the end. It's human error and we can accept that. It's part of life, the mistakes we make as human beings. It wasn't a lack of effort or lack of desire.
"How can I be frustrated when they play like that? The players were excellent. If we'd managed to win this it would have been one of my best wins as a manager."
Not even two crucial decisions from referee Jeremy Simpson which went against his side could dampen Robinson's mood.
Simpson turned down Dons appeals for what appeared to be a penalty when Taylor slid in to challenge Hall in the 24th minute and four minutes later opted to show home skipper Sol Bamba a yellow card for his cynical block on Nicky Maynard when it might have been red.
"I thought he got away with the sending-off because (Maynard) was clear on goal," he said. "For me it's a definite penalty as well."
Leeds head coach Steve Evans admitted it was a below-par performance from his side and that his players had "come down a yard" from the form shown in last Tuesday's draw with Derby.
Evans also reiterated plans were underway to bring in "three or four" new players in January - he is hoping to extend midfielder Liam Bridcutt's loan from Sunderland - and revealed Leeds were in talks with Norwich over the possibility of signing striker Kyle Lafferty.
"We need to strengthen the group and we're working really hard to try and do that," Evans said. "We're working hard to make that happen but we're not going to be held to ransom on wages or fees.
"There's a lot of work going on behind the scenes. I had a full update (on Friday) from the president on three or four players we're really keen to bring in. He's as keen as I am.
"We will strengthen the group. The first one I want through the door is Liam Bridcutt and we'll see where the others go in the next few days ahead."
On Lafferty, who Evans said was at Elland Road to watch the game, the former Rotherham boss added: "The clubs are having a chat. We'll see where it goes."
