Swindon Town drop to second bottom of League One in their last game of 2020 after a 4-1 defeat to Russell Martin's MK Dons side.
Cameron Jerome scored a brace, with Daniel Harvie and Regan Poole also getting on the scoresheet for the Dons. Jack Payne scored Town's only goal with a screamer in the first-half. Rob Hunt was sent off late on for a challenge on Poole.
First-Half:
Town were a goal down within four minutes when Cameron Jerome’s effort was just over the line, despite Matej Kovar’s efforts to keep it out.
Tyler Smith nearly caused a problem for keeper Andy Fisher after his first touch was a tad heavy, however he managed to recover and clear the ball to avert danger.
Daniel Harvie made it 2-0 to the visitors when Scott Fraser's pass found its way in behind the back four. Kovar came to meet the ball, but Harvie clipped it over the Czech keeper and into the net to double the lead.
Ten minutes later Jack Payne picked the ball up from a Matt Smith free-kick and let fly from just outside the box. Fisher had no chance as Payne's effort smashed in off the crossbar.
Almost immediately Dons restored their two-goal advantage when Jerome beat the offside trap (in the eye of the assistant referee) and calmly passed into the bottom left corner, putting his side 3-1 up before the half.
Second-Half:
The Gaffer made a triple substitution before the lads kicked off with Tyler Smith, Akin Odimayo and Anthony Grant making way for Brett Pitman, Rob Hunt and Jordan Stevens.
Town were then forced into making a fourth chance when Jonathan Grounds had a problem with his calf and was replaced by Paul Caddis.
From then on in there were few chances for both teams as Town tried to claw their way back into the game, but had no luck.
Jordan Lyden was brought on with twenty two minutes to go following his injury absence, in place of Mathieu Baudry.
Jack Payne nearly managed to get his second after catching out Richard Keogh and sneaking in to shoot at the back-post, but Fisher spread himself well and smothered the shot.
The Dons made it four when Harvie's cross found the head of the onrushing Regan Poole, whose header found its way into the corner after Rob Hunt slipped trying to stop the effort.
Six minutes later Town were down to ten men when Hunt caught Poole on the half-way line. Referee Sam Purkiss originally looked to be pulling out the yellow card, but instead showed Hunt a straight red and gave the defender his marching orders.
Swindon face Wigan at the County Ground on Saturday in what is already a must win game heading into the New Year.
