The MK Dons captain is just seven away from becoming the club’s second leading scorer

Captain Alex Gilbey’s return to the side and return to form has given MK Dons a big boost in recent weeks, and was capped on Tuesday with his 50th goal for the club.

The 31-year-old sparked Dons into life when he scored one of the goals of his career for number 49th in the win over Luton Town last weekend, before adding his 50th 10 days later with a rare header in the 4-1 win over Bromley Town.

Not known for his goals in his first spell, Gilbey scored 11 in 105 appearances during his first spell with the club, but his return has seen him net 39 in 150 games as he raced towards the half-century mark.

Tuesday night’s goal moves him joint-third in the club’s all-time leading scorers list alongside Kieran Agard, with second-placed Aaron Wilbraham just seven up the road.

His goal on 71 minutes made it 3-1 to effectively put the game beyond League Two champions Bromley as Dons moved up to 14th in League One, with his overall contribution to helping Dons pick up three wins out of four in recent weeks drawing the plaudits.

“It was great for Gilbs to get his 50th goal for the club,” said head coach Paul Warne. “It’s so impressive.

“I’ve waxed lyrical about him since I got to the club. He’s a great captain and a great bloke. I think the world of him.

“For him to score a header, which we don’t often see, is great. His hair is swashbuckling now, which is why he’s so great in the air.”

Defender Charlie Goode, who arguably dislodged Gilbey for goal of the night with his excellent third of the season towards the end, also praised the skipper for the impact he has had on the side in recent weeks.

Goode said: “I’ve played against Gilbs plenty of times over the years, and a lot of players speak very highly of him.

“Since he’s come back, he just gives us that extra lift. He leads by example. Whether it’s a goal, a cross, a tackle, anything. He is a great captain and I think there’s even more to come from him. It was a very big goal.”