Tranmere Rovers were cruelly defeated late on as MK Dons’ Ellis Harrison scored at the death to condemn Rovers to a 2-1 loss at Prenton Park.
Rovers boss Nigel Adkins, serving a one-match touchline ban, made three changes to the side who were defeated at Barrow last Saturday.
Harvey Saunders (hamstring) and Lee O’Connor (foot) were absent through injuries, and Reece McAlear dropped to the bench.
Charlie Jolley, Dan Pike, and Rob Apter started in their places, the latter returning to the lineup after rejoining on loan from Blackpool.
League Two manager of the month Mike Williamson initially made two alterations as Michael Kelly replaced Callum MacGillivray in goal and Dank Kemp took Mo Eisa’s place.
The visitors were forced into another change before kick-off when the injured Ethan Robson made way for debutant Kyran Lofthouse.
It was MK Dons who led after nine minutes when Alex Gilbey drove inside from the left and fired a well-hit effort into Luke McGee’s bottom right corner.
Rovers hit back three minutes later, though, as Kieron Morris’ strike from similar range was deflected awkwardly beyond Kelly, who had already committed to his left to cover the shot.
MK Dons had the better of proceedings after this and Gilbey was denied a second when McGee rushed out to block his 1-v-1 effort with ten minutes to go until the break.
Rovers’ shot-stopper was called on again moments later to smother Dan Kemp and the resultant rebound.
It remained level at half-time with Rovers struggling to maintain any sort of sustained possession.
The second half proceeded in similar fashion, though MK Dons were unable to create a clear opening, even when Rovers allowed them to wander into their half without any pressure.
With ten minutes to go, Rovers began to press more aggressively which whipped up the home crowd as the game became more open.
The final phases were end to end as both teams scrambled to find a winner, and the visitors found one deep into added time when Harrison slotted home after a melee in the box.
The result sees MK Dons move into 7th and play-off places and Rovers fall to 18th.
They will look to bounce back at Swindon
next weekend.
