A late Charlie Austin goal proved not enough as MK Dons edged past Swindon Town 2-1.

In an action-packed first 10 minutes, Swindon found themselves 2-0 down due to a quick-fire Stephen Wearne double which gave the Robins a lot of work to do at the break.

Town had responded well in the second half despite the two early goals and found themselves a way back into the game in the 89th minute through Charlie Austin but MK held out for the victory.

Gavin Gunning made a few changes from Swindon’s 2-2 draw against Gillingham as Drinan registered his first start in Swindon colours alongside forward Hepburn-Murphy returning to the starting 11 as loanee Dawson Devoy missed out due to MK Dons being his parent club.

It was the away side who struck first in the game, as a mix-up of communication from defender Conor McCarthy and goalkeeper Jack Bycroft gave Lofthouse the opportunity to dispossess the Barnsley loanee which he squared to Stephen Warne who slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Just four minutes after their first, MK Dons had doubled their lead. A great cross from Dan Kemp found its way past McCarthy and Frazer Blake-Tracy and was set up perfectly at the back post for Wearne who blasted it into the roof of the net to double their lead.

Swindon were desperate to respond but found it difficult against a very organised MK Dons. In the 12th minute Paul Glatzel played Sean McGurk on the edge of the area but his volley did not trouble Michael Kelly in the away side’s goal as it went wide for a goal kick.

It became clear early on that Gunning’s side would really have to rely off a small number of half-chances to try and get a result. MK Dons had clearly done their homework and were prepared for anything Swindon had to offer.

Mike Williamson’s side appealed for a penalty in the 19th minute as Alex Gilbey went down following a challenge from McCarthy but the referee Scott Tallis was not phased and waved off the appeal.

The visitor’s quality became clear again as Lewis Bate showed exceptional dribbling to create space in midfield on the half hour mark and attempted to send through Kemp but great defending from McCarthy denied the opportunity.

McGurk had been a real force for Swindon in this tie and he had another chance but it was blocked and went out for a corner, which was headed away and resulted in nothing. Minutes after, the former Leeds winger slipped on the edge of the area and his deflected effort was easy for Kelly in the MK goal.

In the closing minutes of the first half Swindon improved, which included Rushian Hepburn-Murphy rolling the ball into the net from Glatzel’s cross but the German was very clearly offside meaning nothing counted.

In the last piece of action for the hosts just before half-time, Glatzel brilliantly controlled the ball from a great switch of play but could not get the ball out of his feet to shoot, meaning he was dispossessed and the Robins went into the break 2-0 down.

After a quiet start to the second half, it was Gunning’s team who had a great chance as a great cross from Godwin-Malife found the chest of Harry McKirdy but he could not get the ball under control just like Glatzel’s chance earlier.

Not long after the McKirdy chance in the 59th minute, Godwin-Malife produced another great cross towards the far post but this time round it found nobody. Kemp then had the ball in the back of the net a minute later but goalscorer Wearne was offside in the build up and the scoreline stayed the same.

Swindon really were not giving up in the second half and it was clear head coach Gunning had them fired up. MK Dons did have a few opportunities however, and it was former Town full-back Joe Tomlinson who attempted an ambitious shot from quite a way out but it went wide and over.

After a few half-chances and some crosses, Swindon finally had themselves a route back into the game as Godwin-Malife’s ball met the head of captain Charlie Austin who headed past Kelly which put a lot of pressure on Williamson’s side to keep their lead with just stoppage time remaining.

It was all Town in stoppage time, but their best chance came from a free-kick where goalkeeper Bycroft attempted a bicycle kick but missed the ball, meaning it was dealt with easily and MK Dons had sealed all three points despite a lack comeback.

STFC Starting XI: Bycroft, Godwin-Malife, McCarthy, Blake-Tracy, Kokolo, McEachran, Khan, McGurk, Hepburn-Murphy, Glatzel, Drinan

STFC Substitutes: Brann, Brewitt, Minturn, Cain, Elbouzedi, McKirdy, Austin

MK Starting XI: Kelly, Harvie, O’Hora, Norman, Tomlinson, Payne, Bate, Lofthouse, Wearne, Gilbey, Kemp

MK Substitutes: Harness, Lewington, Williams, Robson, Tripp, Tezgel, Dennis

Attendance: 8789 (697 away)