Mandron at the double as Dons' winning streak ends

It was a case of deja vu for MK Dons as a poor performance against Crewe Alexandra saw them beaten 2-0.

After their worst performance of the season came against the Railwaymen back in September, Mikael Mandron's brace inside 20 minutes had echoes of the game at the Alexandra Stadium - a game Russell Martin had described as the worst of the season.

Though Cameron Jerome saw a goal ruled out for offside and hit the post, chances for the home side were fleeting, and met with an in-form Will Jaaskelainen who made top stops from Charlie Brown and Harry Darling late on to ensure a clean sheet for the visitors.

The result sees Dons drop a spot to 13th.

Of the three changes Russell Martin made to the side, Scott Fraser was the most notable absentee following his early change in the first half against Doncaster Rovers last time out. He was named on the bench as part of three changes, which saw Louis Thompson come in for the Scot, Cameron Jerome replace Will Grigg and Ethan Laird in for Matthew Sorinola.

The first half at the Alexandra Stadium was as bad as Dons have been this season and the warning signs were on the wall early as Crewe smothered them early and put them on the back-foot. Despite their poor start, Cameron Jerome had the ball in the net early on though it was ruled offside and from there, it became the Mikael Mandron show as his brace gave the visitors a deserved lead.

Left with a relatively simple finish when Zak Jules gave the ball away on halfway allowing the striker and Charlie Kirk to break through, Kirk squaring to the French striker to open the scoring on 13 minutes.

Seven minutes later, he was afforded time to turn in the six yard box to fire home Crewe's second as the home side looked at sea.

Things did not get much better despite Dons finding their feet a bit more as the half wore on, but it was a fruitless opening 45 minutes as the home side were simply unable to cause the Crewe defence any problems whatsoever.

Though Dons looked a much better side in the second half, they could have been out of it within 40 seconds of the restart when Charlie Kirk raced clear only for a brilliant recovering Harry Darling challenge sparing Dons' blushes.

Jerome should have given the home side a lifeline when he was put in by Ethan Laird, but after rounding keeper Jaaskelainen, was denied by the post.

And from there, it would be an uphill battle for the home side as Crewe would have another great opportunity to put the game to bed but Kirk and Mandron were guilty of overplaying in front of goal, allowing the ball to fall harmlessly wide.

Matt O'Riley, Will Grigg and Daniel Harvie all took aim from range which never looked like troubling Jaaskelainen, but the keeper made a good stop to deny Charlie Brown and Harry Darling efforts late on.

Referee: Andy Woolmer

MK Dons: Fisher, O'Hora, Darling, Jules, Laird (Sorinola 74), Harvie, Surman (Brown 74), McEachran (Kasumu 60), Thompson (Fraser 60), O'Riley, Jerome (Grigg 57)

Subs not used: Nicholls, Lewington

Crewe Alexandra: Jaaskelainen, Pickering, Wintle, Lowery (Ainley 82), Kirk (Adebisi 71), Mandron (Porter 90), Lancashre, Offord (Daniels 90), Dale (Walker 71), Murphy, Beckles

Subs not used: Richard, Wood