Milton Keynes Dons 0-0 Bristol City

MK Dons failed to close the gap on leaders Bristol City as the promotion-chasing pair shared a goalless draw.

A point was enough to keep City top of the table, and they earned it with an organised defensive display.

Home goalkeeper David Martin had to make a sharp double save in the first half though, denying Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and then Joe Bryan.

Dele Alli almost snatched victory for the home side late on, but saw his 20-yard shot fizz wide.

MK Dons also made loud claims for a penalty in the closing stages when Samir Carruthers's shot struck Luke Ayling on the arm, but in truth the home side, with boss Karl Robinson watching from the stand as he served the final game of a touchline ban, had lacked the creativity to break down the resilient visitors, who brought 5,109 travelling fans with them to Stadium MK.

The Dons had seen plenty of the ball in a high-tempo contest, but Steve Cotterill's men looked relatively untroubled and posed their own threat at times on the break.

But with Swindon winning at home to Barnsley, Robinson's side drop down to third - and while the draw ends City's five-game winning run in the league, they maintained their two-point lead over the hosts and have a game in hand.

Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill told BBC Radio Bristol:

"I think we could have won it and I think we could have had a penalty.

"Both teams defended really well and worked hard for their team-mates.

"All in all a draw was a fair result but I still think we could have nicked it today.

"There won't be many teams that come away to MK Dons and have the possession we had and the chances we had."