Suspensions to Phil Picken and Aaron Downes forced Chesterfield into changes at Milton Keynes this afternoon. Jamie Lowry was reintroduced at right-back and Janos Kovacs came in to partner Kevin Gray in central defence. Jamie Ward found scoring form in his recent international appearances and returned to the starting line-up in place of Steve Fletcher.

A fast-paced opening saw both sides push forward and promise a good game. Lowry was put under pressure on 3 by Johnson and conceded the game's first corner, which was taken short and cleared for another corner by Robertson. Niven and Bastians combined to bring the ball away.

Jack Lester had the game's first chance on 8, turning and shooting narrowly wide after good recovery play by Leven. MK Dons went to the other end of the pitch and punished Chesterfield for the miss, advancing down the right and finding Wright, who stabbed the ball into the net to give the home side the lead. The Fratellis blared out of the tannoy system as the home fans celebrated.

After being under pressure Chesterfield came back at their hosts and won their first corner on 21. Ward took it but couldn't beat the near-post man; his return was flicked on by Bastians but Diallo was able to clear the danger. Ward took a second corner on 23 but Andrews got in front of Gray to concede the Spireites' third flag kick, which Bastians took, but it drifted over and out of play.

Another corner came the way of the visitors on 25 but the home defence was resolute. The pressure continued, however, and Chesterfield fashioned an equaliser on 32. A ball over the top from Rooney found BASTIANS pulling away from Diallo and the German rifled a shot past Gueret and into the net.

MK came back at Chesterfield and won a corner on 35 but the danger was cleared. Johnson was fouled by some Ward / Robertson teamwork and Gregor paid the price with a yellow card. Gueret flapped at a Bastians free kick as the visitors racked the pressure up again and Wilbraham fouled Gray in a dangerous position. Leven chipped to the back post but the defence cleared. MK were looking rattled and Wright gave away a soft corner as the visiting crowd - estimated at around 1000 - got behind their side.

Still, the Dons broke to threaten, winning a corner late in the half; Lewington took it and Andrews shot over. Roche was forced to save from Navarro, who was lucky to escape without a booking soon after, for a foul on Niven as the Scot looked to break.

Halftime: 1-1. Attendance 9,638.

Lowry set Ward free into the area on 47 but the ball wouldn't come down for a shot and O'Hanlon was able to get a block in. Lester took it past a couple of men and into a shaky-looking MK defence, looking for Bastians, but Diallo intervened. MK's fans were clearly concerned by what they saw, and chose to watch this phase of the game in silence. Their mood was not lightened on 52 when Chesterfield took the lead. Lowry's fine ball set up WARD, who crashed a shot home as the MK defence backed off.

The visiting fans danced a delighted conga as the home side set about getting back on level terms. Dyer thought he was about to do just that on 55 but Kevin Gray launched himself into a saving tackle. Ward broke into the penalty area as the ball was again slotted in behind the resolute but slow central defenders, but Jamie was forced to shoot left-footed; the ball dribbled agonisingly wide of Gueret's left-hand post.

Lowry was booked after fouling Dyer, who was becoming more dangerous. A free header from the free kick brought a fine save from Roche. MK Dons brought the experienced Kevin Gallen into the game for Wilbraham on 61. O'Hanlon went into the book on 63 for a foul on Ward, but in stopping play referee Joslin denied Lester a good advantage.

A concerted spell of pressure from MK found Bastians defending resolutely. Lester went down under a challenge from behind by Swailes that saw the MK man yellow-carded. Lester needed lengthy treatment and eventually left the pitch on a stretcher on 68, being replaced by Fletcher. Cameron replaced Diallo on 69.

Bastians broke through on 78 but Gueret did well to deny him. Drewe Broughton replaced Jemal Johnson on 80. Swailes' mistake let Ward in on 81 but Gueret again saved MK. O'Hare replaced the tiring Bastians, who had enjoyed a fine non-stop game, on 85, and the Irishman cleared effectively with his first touch seconds later.