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Milton Keynes Dons move up into the automatic promotion places following their impressive 3-1 victory at home against Crewe Alexandra in Sky Bet League Two action.
A brace from Alex Gilbey followed a Will Collar strike as the Dons score three goals to earn all three points.
Will the ill-discipline come back to haunt the Dons as Luke Offord is suspended for their next match, away at Bromley.
MK Dons and Crewe Alexandra kicked off in expected fashion, with the in-form hosts pressing high from the outset and the visitors content to absorb pressure.
The Dons, buoyed by a positive run of league form and a growing sense of squad cohesion, looked sharp in possession and purposeful in their movement from the first whistle.
The breakthrough came via an inventive short throw, a clever variation from Callum Paterson’s trademark long-launches into the penalty area.
Instead, the throw was played short to Liam Kelly, who found himself completely unmarked on the left flank.
His deep cross initially appeared over-hit, but centre-back Marvin Ekpiteta recovered it expertly at the far post.
With composure and awareness, he kept the ball alive and knocked it back across goal where Will Collar met it on the half-volley to smash home from close range.
It was a well-crafted goal, born of coordination and intelligent movement, rather than raw power.
Crewe responded with brief spells of possession but rarely tested goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray.
MK Dons’ defensive unit, led by the solid pairing of Ekpiteta and Jack Sanders, returning from injury after a six-week absence, was aggressive in the challenge, and alert to second balls, ensuring the visitors posed little threat in open play.
The second goal, just before half-time, underlined the Dons’ growing confidence.
A flowing move saw Paterson pick up the ball 35 yards from goal and carry it forward, drawing multiple defenders.
He then played a precise pass wide to the onrushing Aaron Nemane, who, with one touch to steady himself, whipped in a low first-time cross.
With Crewe’s defence pulled out of shape, Gilbey ghosted in and calmly slotted home to give the hosts a 2–0 advantage.
It was the kind of well-rehearsed move that speaks to the growing understanding within the side.
The third came just before the hour mark, following a defensive lapse from Crewe in their own third.
Nemane once again found space inside the penalty area and, despite being too wide to shoot, showed maturity by cutting the ball back across the box.
Gilbey, arriving late, buried his shot into the bottom corner to register his second of the day and sixth of the season, a clear sign of his influence in the final third, being the top scorer for the season so far.
Crewe continued to show spirit, but the match was largely out of reach.
Substitute Lewis Moult eventually grabbed a stoppage-time consolation in the 100th minute after a defensive lapse, but it did little to dampen the home crowd’s celebration.
Discipline, however, remains a lingering issue.
The Dons picked up four more yellow cards on the day, taking their tally to 33 yellows and two reds in just 13 matches.
With centre-back Luke Offord now suspended and captain Alex Gilbey one caution away from a ban, manager Paul Warne must find a way to address these recurring lapses.
In a tightly contested league, losing key players to suspension could derail momentum at a critical time.
Despite these concerns, there is growing optimism around Stadium MK.
Warne’s ability to integrate a near entirely rebuilt squad, after a record-breaking 53 players used last season, is testament to both his tactical clarity and the professionalism of the group.
The team is playing with a structure, intensity, and sense of purpose that has been missing in previous campaigns.
The club’s transformation off the pitch is equally significant.
Under the ownership of Kuwaiti Prince Fahad Al Ghanim, MK Dons are benefitting from long-term vision and financial backing seldom seen in League Two.
The club has moved away from one-year stopgap deals and into multi-season contracts, providing both players and staff with rare stability.
That security has allowed MK Dons to make ambitious moves in the transfer market.
The acquisitions of Paterson, Kane Wilson, and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, all players with Championship experience in the last twelve months, reflect a club with both pulling power and a plan.
Beyond attracting big names, the club appears committed to building a sustainable foundation, with emphasis on consistency, professionalism, and performance.
Though the Premier League’s riches may not trickle down to League Two in meaningful ways, MK Dons are positioning themselves as a future contender beyond this tier.
If they can combine their technical quality with improved discipline and consistency, promotion is more than realistic, it’s expected.
With a squad that is not only talented but increasingly united, and a management team supported by progressive ownership, MK Dons appear to be entering a new era, one defined not by instability, but by upward mobility.
