AFC Wimbledon’s nine-game unbeaten run on the road came to an end in the worst of all possible places this afternoon.

Neal Ardley’s side chose a visit to the hated franchise, of all places, to produce their most insipid showing of the season.

Dean Bowditch’s second half penalty was the only goal of a game in which Dons created next to nothing.

The atmosphere was crackling at the first whistle and it was the hosts who settled the better, George Baldock skinning his marker down the right with 10 minutes played and putting a dangerous ball into the mix only for Kieran Agard to scuff his close-range effort.

Welcome! AFC Wimbledon fans are searched as they enter the Stadium mk

MK were closer still on 13 minutes when after more hesitant defending Ben Reeves’ shot was deflected inches wide with Shea struggling.

The hosts though failed to sustain the momentum and Jake Reeves finally registered a shot on target for Ardley’s men four minutes before the break.

MK though were again faster out the blocks after the break Bowditch planting a free header wide after another excellent ball in from Baldock.

All Yours: MK boss Robbie Neilson (L) hands the ball to to Barry Fuller

Agard too went close when AFC were caught sleeping at a free-kick, a succession of corners followed, but the visitors survived.

A double substitution with 58 played saw Dean Parrett and the off-colour Dominic Poleon giving way to Lyle Taylor and Chris Whelpdale in a bid create some forward threat.

But, the latter’s first impact was to get the game’s first yellow and with MK in the ascendancy the winning goal soon followed.

Dean Lewington drove into the box, went down under the challenge of Paul Robinson and Bowditch sent Shea the wrong way from the spot.

Tyrone Barnett replaced a frustrated Tom Eliott as Ardley played his last card midway through the half and they finally caused a scare when a long throw missed everybody hit a defender on the line and bounced off Jon Meades into the grateful hands of Martin.

Agard could have wrapped it up at the other end when Robinson dithered under a high ball, but given sight of the away goal the striker only found Shea.

It mattered little though as one was more than enough.