AS we downed our pre-match refreshments, the majority opinion was that this was a match we should win and the first this season where we would start as favourites, breaking through the negative points barrier, only for the EFL to put us back into negative points next week – probably.

The fans were lifted with the surprise news Liam Bridcutt and Josh Earl were fit and playing.

But as we all know, starting favourites counts for nothing and is second only behind the manager of the month, for being akin to the kiss of death.

It nearly turned out that way as MK Dons put up a fighting performance with ex-favourite Joe Mason hitting a post.

We were poor in the first half but all’s well that ends well as Daryl Murphy transformed from villain to hero as he slotted home the winner, minutes after missing a penalty.

Despite last week’s reality check against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup, confidence is growing among Bolton fans that we are starting to get it together on the pitch.

But let’s keep things in perspective. We are on a long and winding road to recovery.

It’s still hard to comprehend that only two months ago, we came within a whisker of going out of business and that we had to play our youth team to start the season.

Keith Hill and David Flitcroft have cobbled together a team of fighters, playing attractive football that we can all get behind. Let’s enjoy things as they unfold.

Off the pitch, there was well-deserved recognition at the North West Football Awards for the BWFC Community Trust and The Bolton News’ Marc Iles as they were named ‘Community Club of the Year and ‘Journalist of the Year’ respectively, for their tremendous work during the club’s ‘Dark Ages’. Congratulations to all involved.

We really are rebuilding that community spirit and togetherness. The pictures on social media of Sharon Brittan celebrating the winning goal were brilliant.

I also hope the Bolton community can rally behind the students who have lost all in the terrible fire at the Cube on Friday night. Bolton Wanderers were quick off the mark by setting up a foodbank for the students.

I know how devastating a fire can be as in the 1970s, our house burnt down and the only things I was left with, was a crate of ale and my Wanderers season ticket book.