Match Report

Down to ten men for the last hour MK Dons still had too much in their tank for a struggling Bristol Rovers side.

The record shows they owe their three points to an own goal by Byron Anthony but their all-round superiority put them a class above their opponents.

The dismissal of Spanish defender Miguel Llera for two bad tackles which brought yellow cards might have disturbed a lesser side.

But they simply moved Jude Stirling from full-back into a more central role, made a tactical substitution which sacrificed top scorer Sam Baldock and got on with the game.

Rovers had been alerted to the danger the Dons can create from high crosses, particularly from corners, but the opening goal came that way as they failed to defend Peter Leven's 13th-minute flag kick.

Aaron Wilbraham, celebrating a two-and-a-half year contract extension, drew away from his marker to net with an unchallenged header from four yards out with keeper Steve Phillips stranded at the other post.

With crisp clean passing the Dons should have drawn away but were stunned to see their lead disappear inside a minute as Jo Kuffour pivoted on 30 yards to fire a goal over Willy Gueret's head.

Kuffour was the only Rovers player to give the visitors much trouble but his lively running received little back up from 18-goal striker Ricky Lambert who was hardly able to get into the game.

Llera's first card came when he caught Craig Disley in the face while his second was for a high tackle on Kuffour.

Rovers' defence was never comfortable and errors by Anthony, on his return to the side, and David Pipe came close to allowing the Dons to score more goals.

The own goal came just short of the hour mark when Anthony stooped to a fierce cross from Jemal Johnson on the left and headed it in at the near post.

Roberto Di Matteo's side have now won nine of their last ten games, while Rovers have managed three-point hauls once in nine.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides