MK DONS 2
Wilbraham 2, Tunnicliffe 37
SWINDON TOWN 1
Ward 90
Aaron Wilbraham slides the ball home for MK Dons opener
MK Dons pulled off a shock 2-1 victory over automatic promotion chasing Swindon Town last night.
It was a vital three points for the Dons, who recorded their first back-to-back wins since January, as they moved within five points of the play-offs.
A lightning start, with Aaron Wilbraham forcing the break through inside two minutes, gave the Dons the momentum and a flurry of chances were missed before James Tunnicliffe headed in their second.
Dons' lead didn't come without a slice of luck as Swindon hit the woodwork on three occasions but Daniel Ward's injury time strike was to late to grab a share of the points.
Paul Ince had the luxury of name the same team that beat Leyton Orient at the weekend.
Swindon had shipped four goals to their west country rivals Bristol Rovers at the weekend, and any hopes of a better defensive display went out of the window for Danny Wilson's side with just 65 seconds played.
Sean Morrison's relaxed approach at keeping Jermaine Easter at bay only assisted in Luke Chadwick hassling the ball from him before running into the box.
Chadwick had his left-footed shot parried away by David Lucas but the ball fell straight at the feet of an unmarked Wilbraham who gleefully slotted home from close range.
Dons' high tempo start forced the Robins into a number of errors and they could have counted
Aaron Wilbraham celebrates his goal in the first minute with Jermaine Easter
themselves lucky not be two goals down after Chadwick and Easter had efforts saved by Lucas.
Swindon's Billy Paynter was always going to be a handful for the Dons and he gave them a timely reminder as he matched a wonderful cross from former-Don Jon-Paul McGovern with a ferocious shot that smashed against the bar.
Robins' kept testing Gueret with Alan Sheeehan curling a free-kick from the right down the goalie's throat. At the other end Easter wasted his second good chance of the night when he struck over after a neat one-two with Carrington.
It was Carrington who then missed a glorious opportunity to double the lead only to be denied by Lucas, it was a moment that could have been vital when Robins' skipper for the evening Jonathan Douglas riffled a shot against the inside of the bar - Gueret simply stood still as the ball spun away to safety.
Dons finally gave themselves a healthier advantage when Tunnicliffe shook of his marker and superbly headed Leven's outswinger across the keeper and into the net.
James Tunnicliffe celebrates his first goal for MK Dons
The Dons got a slice of luck on the stroke of half-time when McCracken, trying to prevent Paynter from netting Daniel Ward's cross, knocked the ball against his own post.
Swindon applied pressure after interval, yet it was the Dons who threatened to add to the score line when Mark Randall dug the ball out at the corner of the box to send his attempt inches wide.
Wilson introduced Charlie Austin and Gordon Greer, who had a shot blocked by the Dons defence, as the Robins desperately tried to claw themselves back into proceedings.
Paynter was left with his head in his hands after his header from Sheehan's free-kick, following Jude Stirling's second foul in a matter of minutes, the wrong side of the right post.
With every effort Swindon had the Dons had their own. Arsenal loanee Randall had another right-footed blast fall wide.
Robins' Ward set up a nervous end for Dons fans as he pounced on a bouncing ball in the Dons' box and smashed his volley beyond Gueret.
Yet it was too late to be anything other than a consolation for the visitors.
MK DONS: Gueret, Woodards (Stirling 18 (Doumbe 85)), Tunnicliffe, McCracken, Lewington (c), Randall (Howell 85), Leven, Carrington, Chadwick, Easter, Wilbraham.
Booked: Stirling, Carrington
SWINDON TOWN: Lucas, Amankwaamh (Jean-Francois 85), Morrison (Greer 58), Cuthbert, Sheehan, McGovern, Douglas (c), Ferry, Ward, Pericard (Austin 58), Paynter.
Referee: James Linigton (Isle of Wight)
Attendance: 8,764