MK Dons kept alive their hopes of snatching an automatic promotion place with a 1-0 win over Scunthorpe.

Automatic promotion still a possibility for Di Matteo's men

MK Dons kept alive their hopes of snatching an automatic promotion place with a 1-0 win over Scunthorpe - their 12th away win of the season. The visitors always looked the more dangerous side in the first half against an anxious home defence. Winger Jason Puncheon went close with an angled shot that was beaten away by goalkeeper Joe Murphy. It was no real surprise when MK Dons went in front in the 35th minute with a good finish from midfielder Luke Chadwick after a mistake by Scunthorpe skipper Byrne. Scunthorpe's best effort in reply came from a free-kick by Grant McCann which was tipped over by keeper Willy Gueret. The home side pressed much better in the second half with leading marksman Gary Hooper getting the ball into the net after 61 minutes only to be ruled offside. Full-back Andy Wright had a shot well stopped by Gueret and Hooper was denied again by the French stopper as the visitors hung on for a precious three points.