MK Dons 1-2 Cheltenham Town - Gilbey gives Dons a life line back into the game

Matt Gilbey's second-half goal earned MK Dons a 2-1 League One victory over Cheltenham Town at Stadium MK on Tuesday night.

The visitors had taken the lead through debutant George Lloyd after just six minutes before Cameron Jerome levelled with a penalty 10 minutes later.

Cheltenham had the better of the chances in the second half and looked likely to take all three points, but Gilbey's goal with 10 minutes remaining earned Dons a share of the spoils.

The hosts made a bright start to the game and should have taken the lead in the third minute when Jerome found himself one-on-one with Cheltenham goalkeeper Luke Southwood, but the striker's effort was saved.

Cheltenham took the lead against the run of play when Lloyd, who had only signed for the club on loan from Walsall on Monday, headed home from Alfie May's cross.

Dons were level 10 minutes later when Jerome was brought down in the area by Charlie Raglan and the striker made no mistake from the spot.

The visitors had the better of the chances in the second half and should have taken the lead when May found himself in space inside the area, but the striker's effort was well saved by Dons goalkeeper Jamie Cumming.

Cheltenham continued to press for a winner and Cumming had to be at his best to deny May and Matty Blair.

However, it was Dons who had the final say when Gilbey fired home from the edge of the area to earn his side a vital three points.

MK Dons manager Liam Manning said:

"I thought we started the game really well and created some good chances, but we didn't take them.

"We then conceded a poor goal, but we showed character to come back and get the equaliser.

"In the second half, Cheltenham had the better of the chances, but we defended well and took our chance when it came.

"It's a big three points for us and it gives us a platform to build on."

Cheltenham Town manager Wade Elliott said:

"I thought we were the better team tonight and we deserved to win.

"We created a lot of chances, but we didn't take them and that's ultimately cost us.

"We're disappointed not to have taken all three points, but we can take a lot of positives from the performance."