Vital win for Dons as they see off Wigan with ease

Two goals shortly after half time saw MK Dons cruise past a poor Wigan Athletic side to pick up their second win of the season, winning 2-0.

After a strong performance in the opening half, Scott Fraser opened the scoring from the penalty spot just two minutes after the restart before Ste Walker netted his first goal in Dons colours four minutes later.

Wigan, struggling both on and off the pitch of late, proved to be toothless all night though, barely troubling Andrew Fisher in the Dons goal as the home side cruised in the latter stages, climbing out of the League One drop zone ahead of Saturday's clash with AFC Wimbledon.

After defeat at Blackpool on Saturday, Russell Martin made six changes to his side, bringing back Warren O'Hora, Lasse Sorensen, Matthew Sorinola, Jordan Houghton and Cameron Jerome, while Ste Walker was handed his first start for the club.

But it was Scott Fraser, one of the survivors from Saturday's 1-0 defeat, who was the key protagonist for Dons in the opening half as he tormented Wigan. His quick feet and clever link-up play with Cameron Jerome twice almost allowed Dons to take the lead, but it was Fraser himself who had the best chances of the half, forcing Jones into diving saves as he danced into the Wigan penalty area.

Despite going in at the break somewhat unfortunate not to be ahead, they were 2-0 up within the opening six minutes of the half. The first came from the penalty spot when Tom James sent Matthew Sorinola sprawling in the box and Scott Fraser did the duties from the spot just two minutes after the restart.

Sorinola was involved again four minutes later when he teed up Ste Walker for his first goal for the club, firing low past Jones into the corner of the net.

Walker and Fraser were withdrawn with 20 minutes to go after excellent displays, and it was Walker's replacement Joe Mason who almost made it 3-0 with his first involvement, bending the ball just wide of the post with Cameron Jerome just short of tapping in.

Wigan finally found their attacking nous with 15 minutes to go as they began to press Dons in their half and sustain a period on the ball, but it came too little too late as Fisher remained unchallenged.

Referee: Charles Breakspear

MK Dons: Fisher, Lewington, Keogh, O'Hora, Poole, Sorinola, Houghton, Fraser (Gladwin 71), Sorensen (Freeman 86), Walker (Mason 69), Jerome

Subs not used: Nicholls, Williams, Harvie, Bird

Wigan Athletic: Jones, Pearce, Tilt (Perry 69), Keane (Crankshaw 9), Massey (Aasgaard 64), Palmer, Garner, Gardner, Merrie, James, Long

Subs not used: Evans, Obi, Joseph, Perry, Jolley