Lewie still isn't a fan of playing at centre back

The 32-year-old stepped inside from his usual left back to cover for injured Joe Walsh, who missed out with an ankle injury.

Having publicly admitted he doesn't enjoy playing at centre back before, Lewington's performance in the 1-0 win over AFC was that of a man who had played the role for years.

Asked if he enjoyed the game, Lewington said: "Not really no! I did say I might have made a rod for my own back! Sometimes, you work on things and it doesn't work, but then there are times when you come in at the last minute and it looks like you've played there your whole life. Today was fortunately one of those days.

"You're only one position in, but the difference is massive. There's a lot more concentration, and a lot more to remember. It's not something I massively enjoyed but you have to do it for the team. I'm wishing Joe a speedy recovery!"

Lewington played a key part at the other end of the pitch too, winning the penalty which Dean Bowditch put away to secure all three points. Not only was it Robbie Neilson's first win in charge, but also was the first time Dons had won at Stadium MK in the league since March.

He said: "There was contact - it wasn't a dive. It happens so fast, sometimes you don't even know yourself.

"In the first half, I nearly had the shirt pulled off my back, which off the ball is apparently OK - which is new to me. Everyone could see that, but sometimes you get them, sometimes you don't. Today, we had that little bit of luck and you need that sometimes.

"The result ticks a lot of boxes. It was obviously going to be a big game, but for us, it was our 11th home game this season and to win it is massive for us. It has really hampered us, because the away form has been really good. It takes the monkey off our back, and now we can push on and get more."

While fans will also point at the opposition as a particular reason to celebrate, Lewington admitted the rivalry feels one-way, and actually admires what AFC have achieved since forming in 2002.

"It's a strange one for us because there's a rivalry, but there isn't for us," he said. "It's nothing to do with us really. We are what we are, we're here now, it's really their rivalry with us.

"But I've got a lot of admiration for them. What they've done it amazing. Along the way, people get confused with what was what, where was where, and you have to put people straight sometimes. But it sorts itself out."