Second half strikes secure Dons win over AFC Wimbledon

Two goals in quick succession saw MK Dons pick up a huge victory over rivals AFC Wimbledon at Plough Lane on Saturday.

After a rough first half, which saw neither side find their stride, Dons improved significantly in the second period and took the lead when Matt O'Riley fired home the opener on 59 minutes. Two minutes later, Matthew Sorinola scored a stunner barely three minutes after coming on to double Dons' advantage and effectively put the game to bed with half an hour still to go.

Comfortably seeing out the remainder of the game, Dons moved nine points clear of the relegation zone and within nine of the play-offs thanks to the victory, while AFC Wimbledon remain in the bottom four.

There was only one change to the side from Tuesday night's defeat, with Louis Thompson replacing Ben Gladwin. The sale of Regan Poole prior to kick-off to Lincoln City promoted John Freeman to the bench.

Games between the sides usually have a bit of bite about them, but the opening 45 minutes, in biting conditions, left a lot to be desired.

Andrew Fisher made a decent stop when Jack Rudoni miscued his cross and almost found the net at the near post, while the keeper was saved by Louis Thompson who cleared a header off the line from one of a strike of corners for the home side.

At the other end, Joe Mason and Scott Fraser had sights of goal they could not take advantage of, but the best chance fell to Cameron Jerome looked to be through on goal only to stop his run, letting keeper Sam Walker off the hook.

What the first half lacked for Dons, they made up for it in the second half. A far more cohesive display saw them control the game from the restart and going on to score twice in two minutes.

They had to be patient though. Matt O'Riley hit home Jerome's ball into the centre on the hour mark to open the scoring before a stunning strike from Matthew Sorinola, only on for three minutes, doubled the lead via a slight deflection into the top corner.

Well in control from there, Dons played a game they were far more comfortable with, as the likes of Fraser, substitute Ben Gladwin and Jerome enjoyed more time on the ball to make sure of the result.

While not impacting their league position, Dons remaining 16th, the win moved Martin's side to nine points clear of the bottom four, and nine from the play-off spots.

Referee: Robert Lewis

AFC Wimbledon: Walker, O'Neill (Robinson 68), Csoka, Reilly (Oksanen 78), Rudoni (Chislett 68), Guinness-Walker (Oswe 68), McLoughlin, Dobson, Johnson, Longman, Piggott

Subs not used: Tzanev, Nightingale, Alexander

MK Dons: Fisher, Lewington, O'Hora, Darling, Harvie (Sorinola 59), Laird, Thompson (Gladwin 59), O'Riley, Fraser, Jerome, Mason (Brown 83)

Subs not used: Nicholls, Freeman, Johnson

Booked: Guinness-Walker, Laird, Reilly