Ali Gerba hit a brace as Milton Keynes Dons brushed past Cheltenham 3-1 at Stadium:MK.

Gerba bags as brace as Robins fail to make MK pay

Ali Gerba hit a brace as MK Dons cruised past Cheltenham, 3-1, despite having to play an hour of the match with 10 men. Gerba put Dons in front after nine minutes with a right-footed shot from 12 yards, before Gavin Caines headed in Ian Westlake's cross to level the scores after 26 minutes. Willy Gueret was dismissed for violent conduct after 30 minutes, but Milton Keynes regained their advantage when Sam Baldock powered home a penalty after Lloyd Owusu had fouled Jude Stirling within 10 minutes of the restart. Milton Keynes extended their advantage when Gerba netted his second in the closing stages following Jason Puncheon's pass to seal the points for Roberto Di Matteo's men. Owusu was sent off for a second bookable offence after a foul on Dean Lewington seven minutes from time.