Matt Butcher boosts Salford promotion bid with winner against MK Dons

Matt Butcher scored a spectacular goal as Salford made up ground on their promotion rivals with a 1-0 win over 10-man MK Dons in Sky Bet League Two.

Butcher’s fierce drive from the edge of the box proved decisive as the Ammies battled to a hard-fought victory in a cagey contest blighted by strong winds.

Salford centre-back Ollie Turton struck tamely at Craig MacGillivray after seven minutes as the hosts began brightly in adverse conditions.

Paul Warne’s side missed a golden chance to take the lead 11 minutes after the break when a long throw led to a goalmouth scramble where none of the visiting attackers could turn the ball home as it pinballed in the box.

And MK Dons were made to rue that missed chance when Daniel Udoh laid the ball off for Butcher to fire into the top right corner after 66 minutes.

Dons defender Luke Offord was sent off four minutes from time for kicking out at Salford substitute Fabio Borini, before Jorge Grant curled a shot over the bar as the home side closed the gap on the automatic promotion places to three points with victory.