Match ends, MK Dons 1, Sheffield United 0.
MK DonsMilton Keynes Dons1Sheff UtdSheffield United0
Carl Baker's second-half strike saw Milton Keynes Dons defeat promotion rivals Sheffield United.
Baker fired a left-footed shot wide early on before hitting a fierce shot which was well saved by Blades keeper Mark Howard just before the break.
The winger eventually broke the deadlock, drilling home after Will Grigg had held the ball up well.
Jamal Campbell-Ryce had the best chance for the visitors, latching onto a long clearance, but David Martin saved.
The result ended a run of three games without a win in all competitions for Karl Robinson's side, who are now six points behind second-placed Bristol City.
Meanwhile, Sheffield United dropped out of the play-off places following Rochdale's win over Crawley.
MK Dons manager Karl Robinson told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"Sometimes when you play against good teams, it's not going to be that open and entertaining, which the fans that pay the admission fee expect it to be.
"I think the players deserve tremendous credit. I thought it was a very evenly fought game, but when their chance game along they didn't take it, but when ours came along we took it.
"There was one ricochet, Griggy did wonderfully to get his foot on it and Baker, breaking from deep, it was an unerring finish from him.
"We see that every day in training, so we expect him to hit the target when he gets in those areas."
Sheffield United boss Nigel Clough told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"We've played them three times now this season and there's been absolutely nothing in the game.
"Somebody puts a chance in, somebody doesn't and that's it.
"There have been very few chances in the three games we've played, that's why the odd goal here or there has been enough to win it.
"Mark Howard has had three shots (to save) in the two games and somehow we've lost both games."
Line-ups
MK Dons
Formation 4-5-1
- 1Martin
- 12SpenceBooked at 90mins
- 6Kay
- 5McFadzeanBooked at 77mins
- 3Lewington
- 13BakerBooked at 90mins
- 22CarruthersSubstituted forRandallat 86'minutes
- 10ReevesSubstituted forBaldockat 90'minutes
- 14Alli
- 9BowditchSubstituted forClarke-Harrisat 65'minutes
- 11Grigg
Substitutes
- 2Hodson
- 7Green
- 15Randall
- 16McLoughlin
- 18Baldock
- 19Hitchcock
- 23Clarke-Harris
Sheff Utd
Formation 4-5-1
- 1Howard
- 2AlcockSubstituted forAdamsat 83'minutes
- 27Kennedy
- 19McEveley
- 3HarrisBooked at 45mins
- 20Campbell-Ryce
- 8Doyle
- 10ScougallSubstituted forReedat 45'minutes
- 11BaxterBooked at 40mins
- 9Murphy
- 12McNultySubstituted forHigdonat 65'minutes
Substitutes
- 17McGahey
- 21Higdon
- 22Reed
- 25Long
- 28Dimaio
- 29Adams
- 33Wallace
- Referee:
- Lee Mason
- Attendance:
- 9,633
Match Stats
Home TeamMK DonsAway TeamSheff Utd
- Possession
- Home47%
- Away53%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away1
- Corners
- Home4
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, MK Dons 1, Sheffield United 0.
Booking
Carl Baker (MK Dons) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Carl Baker (MK Dons).
Post update
Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Michael Doyle (Sheffield United) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Booking
Jordan Spence (MK Dons) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Attempt missed. Michael Higdon (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
Substitution
Substitution, MK Dons. George Baldock replaces Ben Reeves.
Post update
Corner, MK Dons. Conceded by Michael Doyle.
Substitution
Substitution, MK Dons. Mark Randall replaces Samir Carruthers.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Antony Kay (MK Dons) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Samir Carruthers (MK Dons) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Michael Higdon (Sheffield United).
Post update
Attempt saved. Che Adams (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner.
Post update
Foul by Jordan Spence (MK Dons).
Post update
Che Adams (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Che Adams replaces Craig Alcock.
Post update
Foul by Jay McEveley (Sheffield United).
Post update
William Grigg (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
