Dons end 2020 in style with win over Swindon Town

Cameron Jerome bagged a brace as MK Dons won back-to-back league games for the first time since February in a comfortable 4-1 win over Swindon Town.

Jerome netted his first just four minutes in as he converted Ben Gladwin's initially saved effort, before Daniel Harvie made it 2-0 just before the half hour mark. Jack Payne scored a stunner to pull one back for Swindon before Jerome netted a second just before half time to make it 3-1 at the interval.

Regan Poole headed in Dons' fourth 15 minutes from time, before Rob Hunt was sent off towards the end rounding out a poor night for the hosts but a great night for Russell Martin's side as they climbed to 14th in the standings.

Dons were without 10 first team players for the trip to the County Ground, with only one change from the side which started against Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day as Warren O'Hora was unable to shake off the injury he picked up in the first half, and Baily Cargill replaced him.

Ste Walker and Matthew Sorinola both tested negative for Covid-19 but were unwell, while George Williams is also negative but self-isolating.

While it would be a largely uneventful half of football, it would feature four goals, starting after just four minutes.

Conceding early has been Dons problem this season, but they found the net when Cameron Jerome pounced on Ben Gladwin's rebounded shot to put the visitors in front.

Dons quickly settled into their ways, and looked to pass Swindon to death in the midfield as they sought out avenues for Jerome to exploit.

There appeared to be very little in it though, with neither side really forcing the issue until Daniel Harvie made it 2-0 on 27 minutes, when Gladwin found Fraser, whose soft touch put through his fellow Scot to finish.

Swindon got back in it 11 minutes later with a stunning strike from the edge of the box, clipping the underside of the bar en route past a hapless Andrew Fisher, but Jerome quickly restored Dons' two-goal lead when he beat the offside trap to slot past Matej Kovar.

The second half would be another fairly slow-paced affair, but Swindon showed more fight and took the game to the visitors as they sought a way back into it. Dons' defence though was resolute and coped well with Swindon's aerial threats.

While Kovar had little to do in the second period, he was lucky to escape punishment when he appeared to foul Joe Mason just seconds after the striker came on.

The keeper could do little to prevent Regan Poole's header from finding the bottom corner with 15 minutes to go though as the Welshman stooped low to nod home Harvie's cross.

Swindon's day went from bad to worse with seven minutes remaining when half-time substitute Rob Hunt made a terrible tackle on Poole, earning him a straight red card.

Referee: Sam Purkiss

Swindon Town: Kovar, Fryers, Conroy, Grounds (Caddis 49), Baudry (Lyden 68), Jaiyesimi , T Smith (Pitman 46), M Smith, Odimayo (Hunt 46), Payne, Grant (Stevens 46)

Subs not used: Fryer, Curran

MK Dons: Fisher, Lewington, Keogh, Cargill, Harvie, Poole (Freeman 83), Surman (Johnson 83), Sorensen, Gladwin (Mason 62), Fraser, Jerome

Subs not used: Nicholls, L Walker, Davies

Sent off: Hunt (83)