James Tunnicliffe's first goal for MK Dons proved decisive as they claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win over play-off rivals Swindon.

Tunnicliffe strike decisive for promotion hopefuls

James Tunnicliffe's first goal for MK Dons proved decisive as they claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win over play-off rivals Swindon. First-half strikes from Aaron Wilbraham and Tunnicliffe put Paul Ince's men in control before Daniel Ward netted a late consolation for the luckless Robins, who hit the woodwork three times. The result moves the Dons to within five points of the sixth-placed Robins in the race for the play-offs. Wilbraham put the Dons ahead after just 65 seconds, tapping in his sixth goal of the season from close range after David Lucas had parried Luke Chadwick's shot one-on-one. Swindon were twice unlucky not to equalise as Billy Paynter volleyed Jon-Paul McGovern's cross against the crossbar before Jonathan Douglas' 25-yard rocket hit a post. Tunnicliffe headed in Peter Leven's corner to double the Dons' lead in the 37th minute, before Paynter bundled Ward's cross against the post for the Robins. Swindon piled forward after the break and Ward volleyed high into the net four minutes into stoppage time before Douglas fired wide from 15 yards with the last kick of the game as the Dons bagged their second successive win.