LEE Nicholls believes MK Dons are these days a more stable prospect than the side beaten at the UniBol in November.

Daryl Murphy’s late goal – atoning for a missed penalty – settled the previous meeting at a time when Russell Martin was still trying to graft a new passing style on to his players.

Since December 7 the Dons have lost just three of 13 league games and steadily improved their lot.

Nicholls had saved Murphy’s spot kick in the first meeting, and the fact his side went on to lose still sticks in his craw. But the keeper predicts Saturday’s game will be a very different affair.

“The difference – I think back and look at the first half and we played out a little bit but nothing to the extent that we will do on Saturday, so it’ll be a different game for us because we are a totally different team,” he said.

“What we have done well recently is just concentrate on the next thing. We haven’t looked around, just get through the first minute of the next game, the first pass. Everything else takes care of itself.

“The higher we get up the table the better. We have to be relentless and set the bar high for next season.

“We’ve got to go into every game, but especially at home, looking to win. Bolton have got some good players and they are a good team. They are unfortunate to be down there.

“We have got to make sure we are on top of our game to get the three points.”