Despite leading through Louie Barry’s brilliant solo goal, his first for the club, just before half-time, Hayden Roberts equalised two minutes later from a corner, with James Collins doing the same six minutes into the second half.
While Dons looked the more threatening, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing wrapped things up for the visitors with 11 minutes to go.
Here’s how we rated the players at Stadium MK.
9. Top Don: Louie Barry - 8
Only lasted 45 minutes but was by far Dons' stand-out. Finally a goal under his belt, coming in fine style, and was a problem for Derby until he suffered a concussion Photo: Jane Russell
10. Nathan Holland - 6.5
Faded in and out of the game really. Played the key pass for Barry to open the scoring, and skidded an effort wide in the second half Photo: Jane Russell
11. Will Grigg - 5.5
Missed two great chances which he should have done better with. Work-rate could not be faulted, and played a team role dropping deeper in the second half. Photo: Jane Russell
12. Sub: Mo Eisa - 6
Made some decent runs, got into some good areas too when coming on at the break Photo: Jane Russell