Report: MK Dons 2-1 Swindon Town

MK Dons came from behind to beat Swindon Town 2-1 in a close encounter which rockets them up to third place.

Kay and Powell replaced Flanagan and Carruthers in the starting XI for the visit of the Robins in a highly anticipated game between two of the league`s best footballing sides.

But it couldn`t have started much worse when Obika took the lead for the visitors. The Dons had started strongest but were caught on the break by a strong Swindon counter attack, with Obika bundling in Smith`s short cross.

The Dons maintained their dominance in terms of possession throughout the half. Afobe headed over from a fantastic Bowditch cross, while both Powell and Bowditch had efforts from good positions fly over the bar.

But Swindon looked just as dangerous, and it was only a fantastic stop from David Martin that denied Smith midway through the first half.

The Dons started the second period with much more intent and were rewarded on 51 minutes. Alli danced through the challenges of the Swindon defenders to find space and lift a 20 yard effort past the static Foderingham.

The mood around stadium:mk was transformed and seemed to help Kay`s header from Reeves`s free kick power home to make it 2-1. Robinson had criticised his side`s delivery from free kicks, so the manner of the goal was even more pleasing.

Soon after Afobe came close to finishing off the game as he shot into the side netting after being through on goal.

The half an hour remaining seemed a long time to hold of a still potent Swindon attack, and the visitors maintained constant pressure throughout the rest of the game, in-particular when Harry Toffolo headed just over the back post.

In typical style the Dons rather forgot how to properly hold the ball up and time-waste and had their eye on a third. They really should have scored when Carruthers, Potter and Powell somehow couldn`t find the back of the net after the ball pin-balled between them just a few feet from the goal line.

Nevertheless the Dons hung on to claim their first victory against a proper promotion rival this season. With games in hand and a string of home games coming up, fans are very much looking forward to November.