Peter Leven was the star man as impressive MK Dons proved too strong for Carlisle, winning 3-1.
Impressive second half from Di Matteo's men
Peter Leven's brace secured victory for MK Dons in their League One clash against Carlisle, condemning the visitors to a fifth successive defeat.
Roberto Di Matteo's outfit climbed into the top three but the manner of the win against gritty and resilient opposition would have been more pleasing to the Italian maestro.
Leven's late penalty completed the turnaround for the Dons who had dominated the second half after a poor first period in which United had the better of the chances.
It was a lacklustre Dons who fell behind to an early Danny Graham header and the Cumbrians, orchestrated by on-loan Graham Kavanagh from Sunderland, carried the greater threat in the early stages.
Pounced
Leven claimed the equaliser in the 38th minute when he pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the area to crash the ball home and give the Dons a lift at a vital point in the game.
The MK Dons were re-energised in the second period and Leven turned provider in the 61st minute with a cracking right wing cross which was met by a bullet header from Spanish striker Miguel Angel Llera who gave Ben Williams no chance in the Carlisle goal.
Dons were now smelling blood and with Carlisle on the back foot a Jude Stirling run into the area was halted by a clumsy challenge which gave Leven the opportunity to crash home his second and complete an impressive win.
With six wins in their opening 10 games Di Matteo will be optimistic about his side's future, leaving the top two in League One glancing anxiously over their shoulders.
