MK Dons picked up a first win in 5 games as they just beat Chesterfield 2-1 in Derbyshire.

First half goals by Callum Hendry and Joe White gave the visitors a two goal lead at the break as they sought to bounce back from a run of one point in four games.

Chesterfield pulled a goal back when Darren Oldaker, who was sent off in the reverse fixture in early December, swept home a fine free-kick. But despite a few late near-misses, MK Dons held out to take victory on their visit to the SMH Group Stadium.

The three points means MK Dons are now just 3 points off the play-offs, albeit down in 11th as the division continues to remain congested as a busy period in the football calendar continues to develop.

Proceedings began in a lively manner, with the recalled Ellis Harrison having a shot blocked for the visitors before Chesterfield’s Dilan Markanday had a firm strike tipped wide by MK Dons keeper Tom McGill.

MK Dons would strike first with a goal in the 18th minute. The visitors won a free-kick for a foul on Joe White and a quickly taken kick by Liam Kelly released Hendry, who evaded a visiting defender before curling a strike into the back of the net.

Chances were being created at either end as the game continued. Harrison saw a strike palmed wide by Chesterfield goalkeeper Max Thompson, before Armando Dobra saw a strike fly wide via a deflection and McGill made a fine stop to keep out Tom Naylor.

Just before half-time, MK Dons found themselves a chance that they took as they moved two goals ahead. A pass infield by Joe Tomlinson skipped past Alex Gilbey but found White, with the Newcastle loanee able to get space for a shot and drill a strike that went beyond his fellow Magpie loanee Thompson for 2-0.

The Dons had chances for a third after the break, with Hendry glancing one header wide before the scorer of the Dons’ first goal had a strike well saved by Thompson.

Markanday saw a strike just clear the bar before Chesterfield had a goal back with just under 15 minutes remaining. The hosts won a free-kick on the edge of the box and Oldaker saw a strike sweep its way into the top corner.

Chesterfield had chances to find an equaliser as the game carried on, with Tim Akinola lashing wide before Liam Mandeville’s deflected strike lead to a major scramble at the back post where the ball just failed to go over the line before the Dons cleared.

MK Dons ultimately saw the job through, getting the win over the line. The team will seek to make it back-to-back wins when they welcome Salford City to Stadium MK on Saturday.