Ivan Toney's 11th goal of the season midway through the first half secured a vital three points for play-off chasing Scunthorpe as they ran out 1-0 winners at MK Dons.

The Iron's win was even more crucial given both sixth-placed Millwall and seventh-placed Southend won emphatically, but Gary Alexander's fifth-placed side maintained their four-point cushion over the Shrimpers.

The Dons started brightly and were the first to test either keeper as Stuart O'Keefe's speculative cross from the right found Ed Upson with space inside the box, before the midfielder's powerful volley forced a save.

But Alexander's side responded in emphatic fashion and took the lead 15 minutes from the break. Toney rose above the MK defence from Josh Morris' corner to guide a powerful downward header past MK keeper Lee Nicholls for his third goal in four games.

And despite Robbie Neilson's second-half substitutes for MK putting pressure on the Scunthorpe back four, the Iron held out for a valuable three points.