Warne praises 'white wall like Real Madrid'

MK Dons head coach Paul Warne has praised his players and the fans following the club's promotion to League One.

The Dons won 3-0 at home against Tranmere on Saturday, with goals from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Alex Gilbey and Callum Paterson sealing their place in the third tier of English football.

Following the victory, the club sit top of the league table knowing a victory against mid-table Fleetwood Town next Saturday will guarantee the Dons go up as champions of the division.

Warne said it had been a near perfect afternoon, with the club's fans turning out as a "white wall like Real Madrid [on a] nice sunny day".

"I can't decide if 3-0 flattered us or not," Warne added.

"We nearly could've conceded a couple of times although we could have scored numerous more goals, so [I am] really pleased.

"Tranmere started the second half better than us. But after we rode the first 15 minutes, I thought we were quite comfortable and in the end we ended up winning handsomely.

"After I made my fifth substitute I thought we had done enough."

'Mendez-Laing brought here for these games'

Reflecting on the season, Warne said he had been blessed by the talent he was able to call upon during the end of season run-in.

"We've got really good players, big-time players. So the fact that Gil[bey] scored a screamer, Mendez[-Laing} scored a screamer, it doesn't surprise you. They're the players you want the ball to fall to.

"Although I still don't think Mendez[-Laing] is anywhere near being fit to play, he always makes really good decisions. He makes the team better. And he's been brought here for these sort of occasions. And fortunately, we turned up.