Three goals in the first 29 minutes put Grimsby in total control before Jon Mellish’s red card nine minutes from the break put the game almost out of reach.
A George McEachran own goal early in the second-half gave Dons a glimmer of hope before Connor Lemonheigh-Evans’ strike in the 90th minute set up a thrilling finale but it was too little too late.
Here’s how we rated the players at Stadium MK.
5. Luke Offord - 4.5
The sacrificial lamb after an early booking. All the goals came down his side before being hooked in the first-half | JaneRussell
7. Kane Wilson - 4.5
Not an ideal debut. Still suffering some ring-rust, and thrust into a tough scenario early on | Jane Russell
8. Liam Kelly - 6
Got outnumbered and overrun in midfield in the first-half, but ran himself into the ground | Jane Russell
2 / 5