A staggeringly physical MK Dons side committed 24 fouls in the game at Boundary Park, compared to Athletic's 8, but it was Latics who left happiest, with their third win in a row.

MK seemed content to kick, pull and push their way through the game, in which Athletic created almost all the noteworthy chances.

Latics had made one change from the side that won away to Southend on Saturday, Alex Marrow stepping back in to the side in place of Joe Colbeck to provide a more physical presence in midfield, whilst Dons were without the suspended Jason Puncheon, sent off in the 1-0 loss to Leeds at weekend.

Despite dominating the tie for most of the game a misplaced pass from Dean Furman on the half way line gave Dons the first chance of the match, on 4 minutes.

Jabo Ibhere benefitted, releasing Aaron Wilbraham on the edge of the Latics area.

He fired on goal but thankfully Dean Brill was equal to his low drive, holding on well to prevent a follow up chance for the visitors.

Mathias Doumbe was the first player to be booked for MK, when he received a yellow card on 6 minutes for a reckless challenge on Chris Taylor.

It was apparent even at the early stages that MK were not looking to out-football Athletic, but despite this negative approach Alan Sheehan opened the scoring on 7 minutes for Athletic, with an outstanding first time finish from 30 yards out.

Furman had won the ball for Athletic on the right hand side and his ball was dummied by Marrow into the path of the left back, who unleashed a vicious daisy-cutter into the bottom right hand corner - Gueret unmoved in the visitor's goal.

Marrow was booked on 9 minutes for a challenge which at first glance seemed robust yet fair, before Latics had the ball in the net for a second time.

Pawel Abbott raced clear of the MK back line and chipped Gueret from distance, Assistant Referee Hunt quick to raise the flag on what appeared to be a well timed run, from Athletic's leading scorer.

Both players and fans were growing in frustration for Athletic, as Dons' continued their physical approach to the tie, Leven eventually being punished for a hack at Taylor on the half way line, with a yellow card on 26 minutes.

Alex Marrow was unlucky not to double Athletic's lead, after an awful back pass from Lewington was sliced clear by Gueret directly to him.

He hit a looping first time drive over the 'keeper - who somehow managed to backtrack quick enough to tip the ball onto the roof of the net.

Dean Brill made only his second save of the game on 44 minutes when he instinctively turned away a header from inside a crowded six yard box, keeping the score at 1-0 to Latics going into the break.

Paul Ince was sent to the stands at the end of the first half for a vocal and apparently unacceptable criticism of Referee Bates in the middle of the Boundary Park Pitch, spending the second half sat in the Latics' Directors box.

Athletic had the ball in the net for a third time on the hour, again from a chip over Gueret's head from Abbott, yet again the Assistant Referee adjudging the striker to be in an offside position.

Athletic finally benefitted from their dominance on 69 minutes with an exquisite outside of the foot drive from Keigan Parker.

Latics had weathered MK Dons' best spell of possession when a Sean Gregan clearance was held up with immense strength by Abbott on half way.

He cleverly released Whitaker on the left for Athletic, who then curled an inch perfect ball to the pack post for Parker.

Parker stepped inside his man and curled the ball around Gueret into the far corner, an outstanding finish from the Scott to round off a stunning team goal for the hosts.

Despite continued dominance Latics conceded the most freakish goal on 84 minutes, when Dean Brill tipped the ball onto his post only for it to bounce back off his head and into the goal, after an aimless Ritchie Partridge cross had eluded the Latics defence.

With just 3,630 (180) fans in attendance Athletic closed out the game, the visitors unable to generate any more efforts on goal, to take a very deserved three points.

Dave Penney's post game press conference will be available to Latics Player subscribers shortly.