Dean Lewington and Ben Reeves struck to deny QPR in Buckinghamshire and boost MK Dons’ survival hopes.
Rangers were dominant in the first 45 minutes at Stadium MK but faded badly in the second period to go down 2-0 against Karl Robinson’s strugglers.
Robinson’s side, fighting for their lives near the bottom half of the Championship table, showed their teeth after the interval as they caught the Hoops cold.
Lewington got them on their way with a rare strike, only the 20th of his long professional career, to break the deadlock after the restart.
QPR saw a couple of penalty appeals turned down before referee Keith Stroud further enraged the travelling support by awarding MK with two spot kicks of their own.
Alex Smithies kept out the first from Josh Murphy but couldn’t stop the second as substitute Ben Reeves sealed it for the hosts in injury time.
Here’s a look at five things we learned from Stadium MK...
Phillips rested
Matt Phillips has come under fire from some quarters in recent weeks as sections of the Hoops support have questioned his form.
Their concerns were clearly shared by manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink as the Loftus Road supremo decided it was time to give the winger a rest in Buckinghamshire.
Phillips, scorer of seven goals this season, was named on the bench at Stadium MK and R’s fans will be hoping Hasselbaink’s decision spurs on the midfielder to improve.
The Scottish international did get his chance in the final quarter of the game but Rangers couldn’t find a breakthrough as the Dons held on.
Chery’s reward
Tjaronn Chery this week told GetWestLondon why he felt he deserved a start in Milton Keynes this weekend.
He made just his second start under Hasselbaink in the 2-0 win over Birmingham last time out and marked the occasion with a goal.
Chery was desperate to retain his position in the Hoops attack and was granted his wish by the boss as Conor Washington was drafted in at the expense of Seb Polter.
The 27-year-old says the upheaval at Loftus Road since his arrival has hampered his progress and is only just starting to settle down.
Chery had a decent chance in the second half as he volleyed over the bar but couldn’t make his mark and was replaced by Seb Polter with 20 minutes to go.
Where was Hoilett?
There was no sign of Junior Hoilett at Stadium MK despite the former Blackburn Rovers star getting on the scoresheet last time out.
But don’t panic as there was a perfectly good reason for the winger not making it to today’s game.
Hoilett’s partner gave birth on Friday night, allowing the 25-year-old to go on paternity leave and miss Saturday’s fixture.
Will the new born perhaps be called Junior Hoilett Junior? Either way, GetWestLondon sends our congratulations to the ex-Rovers man and his family.
MK Dons could stay up
MK Dons ended their three-match wait for a win with this victory over QPR and gave their hopes of survival a massive boost.
Karl Robinson’s side were three points above the Championship relegation zone going into this fixture and are scrapping for their lives down near the bottom.
However, you wouldn’t have know there was such a gap between these two teams in the table as Robinson’s team showed plenty of spirit and guts.
They wanted it more at Stadium MK and really put their foot on the gas after the half-time interval and roared on to take the points in the second period.
If they can put in more performances like this before the season is out then Milton Keynes will be remaining in the second tier for the 2016-17 campaign.
Play-off hopes over?
Last weekend’s excellent performance and victory over a talented Birmingham side had reignited belief that the Hoops could make the end-of-season shootout.
But while MK Dons inched closer to safety, Hasselbaink’s boys faltered in their push for the Championship’s top six places.
Realistically the play-offs were beyond Rangers some time ago but there always seems to be a team who makes a late run and squeezes in for a shot at the Premier League.
However, those fading hopes were diminished here.
A difficult game with Derby is to follow in west London and presents another considerable obstacle for the R’s to overcome.
