Manager Lee Johnson is expecting a better performance from his players as he takes them to Prenton Park on Saturday to face Tranmere Rovers.
Johnson, who is approaching a year in management, admitted that his side weren't at their best on Tuesday night but is hoping for a better display against their Wirral rivals at the weekend.
He said: "We've been through the game and it was just a bad day at the office in the first half. It started with the lads getting changed in the dark because there was a power cut which nobody probably knew about.
"We had to go for it in the end but the finishers weren't quite right. After a very poor first half, we nearly got an equaliser and I was pleased with the spirit in the second half."
After beating Gillingham last weekend, the gaffer decided to change his line-up for the game with MK Dons but explained his decisions behind doing this.
"I see a bit of stick about me tinkering the side and there are circumstances behind that," explained Johnson. "Carl played well on Saturday but felt that he could only make 60 minutes. He was then stiff in the next couple of games so I didn't feel he could start.
"David Worrall was similar as he's had terrible problems in the past year with his groin. At the moment, he just can't do three games in a week so we had to totally rest him. He's getting stronger but with the manner of the injury, we had to rest him."
Moving onto this weekend's game, the manager confirmed that Genseric Kusunga will miss the tie with a thigh injury and will be out for at least six weeks, ruling him out for some crucial games. One message is clear though; positivity is key for the gaffer.
He said: "There are so many teams under us that would rather be in our position than theirs. There are also a lot of teams above us that are only a few points behind so we've got to just keep picking up points. At the moment, we're staying really positive and it'll be fantastic to go and get a win."
Finally, the reserves were in action midweek, drawing 2-2 with Shrewsbury Town, and the boss was pleased for Rhys Turner, who bagged himself a goal and continued to impress.
"He scored the exact goal we wanted him to score and it's the reason we bought him to the club," Johnson said, before adding: "It was great to see. He's young but he's got the attributes we require. If we mold him into the player we want him to be then he will be a promising prospect."
Watch the full interview on Latics Player now.