Dons chief has big ambition

MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman has piled the play-off pressure on his club with a minimum target to reach the Coca-Cola Championship within five years.

Pop music producer Winkelman hopes his side will come out top of the play-off charts and defeat Shrewsbury in tonight's play-off semi-final decider.

It's the final game at the National Hockey Stadium before MK Dons move to a new 22,000-seater stadium in July. And Winkelman is in no doubts about the importance of the clash.

"It's going to be the biggest game in the club's short history and I think that's a fitting end to the National Hockey Stadium," said the Dons chief.

"Going to our new home is what it's all about and I can't wait.

"I am so much enjoying being at the right end of the table that I'm now not disappointed that we have missed out on automatic promotion.

"It's been a very difficult birth for football in Milton Keynes but this year I've definitely felt it start to turn around and now we are starting to be a competitive professional football team.

"Our ambition is to get up the leagues as fast as we can because Milton Keynes as a city needs to be in the Championship - with the dream of the Premiership.

"My task is to get the team to the Championship as soon a possible and certainly within five years."

* Extra-time and penalties will be used to decide the winner should the scores finish level tonight. Away goals do not count double.

By James Garrison