Match ends, MK Dons 1, Nottingham Forest 2.
MK DonsMilton Keynes Dons1Nottm ForestNottingham Forest2
Substitute Britt Assombalonga's winner gave 10-man Nottingham Forest the points at already-relegated MK Dons.
Chris Cohen headed in Ben Osborn's cross to put Forest ahead early on but Nicky Maynard levelled with a close-range finish from Josh Murphy's cross.
Reds defender Danny Fox was shown a straight red card shortly before half-time for fouling Jordan Spence.
But Osborn's skill set up Assombalonga to net his first goal for 15 months since returning from long-term injury.
Maynard missed a golden chance to put the hosts ahead after the break, firing over from four yards, while Ryan Mendes grazed the crossbar for the visitors.
Forest, whose 17-month transfer embargo is set to end, finished the season 16th after their second win for caretaker manager Paul Williams in what was expected to be his final game in charge.
The Dons ended their first season in the Championship in 23rd place after picking up just four points in a miserable 11-match winless run.
MK Dons manager Karl Robinson: "We performed OK and we've probably scored the goal of our season.
"In the second half it did look like two teams who had nothing to play for, it was hard at times sitting here with the lack of intensity through both sides.
"Now the season is over it's about us rebuilding, the line is drawn now and we just need to forget about the disappointments of this season."
Nottingham Forest interim manager Paul Williams: "It was kind of mind-blowing how many of our fans were here. We had nothing to play for and it just shows you the size of Nottingham Forest.
"Chris Cohen has not scored for a long time and he pops up and scores and then it's really written in the stars that Britt has come on and scored the winner.
"You could see what it meant to the staff, the players and the fans with the way he celebrated."
Line-ups
MK Dons
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 29Burns
- 12SpenceSubstituted forReevesat 50'minutes
- 40Long
- 16Walsh
- 3Lewington
- 8Potter
- 14CarruthersSubstituted forJacksonat 88'minutes
- 7Baker
- 9Bowditch
- 31Murphy
- 28MaynardSubstituted forRevellat 72'minutes
Substitutes
- 5McFadzean
- 10Reeves
- 17Powell
- 18Revell
- 32Kasumu
- 33Jackson
- 34Furlong
Nottm Forest
Formation 4-3-3
- 1de Vries
- 2Lichaj
- 5Mills
- 13FoxBooked at 37mins
- 3Jokic
- 32TescheSubstituted forAssombalongaat 61'minutesBooked at 75mins
- 22Gardner
- 8Cohen
- 35BurkeSubstituted forMendes da Graçaat 68'minutes
- 29O'GradySubstituted forMancienneat 40'minutes
- 38OsbornBooked at 66mins
Substitutes
- 4Mancienne
- 9Assombalonga
- 15Mendes da Graça
- 18Macheda
- 24Vaughan
- 37Grant
- 48Wright
- Referee:
- Steve Martin
- Attendance:
- 15,486
Match Stats
Home TeamMK DonsAway TeamNottm Forest
- Possession
- Home54%
- Away46%
- Shots
- Home20
- Away10
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away5
- Corners
- Home7
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, MK Dons 1, Nottingham Forest 2.
Post update
Attempt missed. Josh Murphy (MK Dons) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Carl Baker.
Post update
Corner, MK Dons. Conceded by Michael Mancienne.
Post update
Attempt missed. Oran Jackson (MK Dons) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Post update
Attempt missed. Alex Revell (MK Dons) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Carl Baker with a cross.
Substitution
Substitution, MK Dons. Oran Jackson replaces Samir Carruthers.
Post update
Foul by Samir Carruthers (MK Dons).
Post update
Ryan Mendes (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Kevin Long (MK Dons).
Post update
Britt Assombalonga (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Offside, Nottingham Forest. Michael Mancienne tries a through ball, but Britt Assombalonga is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt saved. Kevin Long (MK Dons) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Dean Lewington with a cross.
Post update
Dean Lewington (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Ryan Mendes (Nottingham Forest).
Post update
Attempt missed. Ben Reeves (MK Dons) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Josh Murphy.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Ben Reeves (MK Dons) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Foul by Darren Potter (MK Dons).
Post update
Ryan Mendes (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Samir Carruthers (MK Dons) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Darren Potter.
