The MK Dons head coach spoke after his side’s 3-1 win over Crewe on Saturday

MK Dons are within touching distance of promotion to League One after beating Crewe Alexandra 3-1 st Gresty Road on Saturday, but Paul Warne is not ready to give up on the title yet.

After goals from Curtis Nelson, Marvin Ekpiteta and Alex Gilbey put Dons realistically within a point of securing their spot in the third tier, the 1,000+ travelling supporters revelled in victory in Cheshire, all but guaranteeing their place in the top three in two weeks time.

But with Bromley being held to a goal-less draw with Cambridge United on Thursday night, Dons are within just two points of the league leaders, who play on Thursday again this week, taking on Salford who need a win to keep their automatic promotion hopes alive too.

“We’re getting closer,” said Warne afterwards. “If you’d offered me this 12 months ago, I’d have taken it. It feels like we’ve been planning a promotion for a year!

“I’d love to go for the title. In all my promotions, I’ve never had a title and we’ve given ourselves a good chance. I’ve got to respect our opponents coming up, the last two won’t be easy.

“I watched the Swindon-Accrington game and Accy looked unbelievable. At this time of year, you can play teams with nothing to play for, but they play free or for contracts - there are no easy games. We still have to get back to business, and get a win at home.

“It would be befitting if we can get promoted at home next week. But there is a long way to go before then.”

After Nelson headed them into a 12th minute lead, Dons were in total control against the Railwaymen. And when Marvin Ekpiteta headed them 2-0 ahead on the stroke of half-time, it was effectively curtains. Alex Gilbey’s 11th goal of the season midway through the second-half put the game beyond Crewe’s reach, with Adrien Thibaut’s goal with 15 minutes to go mere consolation.

Warne continued: “In the first-half, that was the best we’ve been in terms of being in charge of a game. We were comfortable, we created a load of chance and on another day, we could have been more handsome. But 2-0, as everyone knows, isn’t the best for our team!

“We had enough though to win the game against a good Crewe team. I don’t think anyone can leave the stadium thinking we didn’t deserve to win that game.”