Hakeeb Adelakun was the only goalscorer in Milton Keynes as Salford City achieved a sixth consecutive win in League Two.
The ex-Doncaster Rovers forward flicked home at the near-post shortly after the half-hour mark in an entertaining affair.
MK Dons had clear opportunities throughout both halves but were unable to convert past goalkeeper Matt Young, who has now kept six consecutive clean sheets.
Curtis Tilt was close to doubling the Ammies’ lead in the second half when his shot from the edge of the box cannoned off the post.
Salford City saw out the game with a one-goal advantage and head to the Etihad Stadium next week with confidence ahead of their FA Cup clash with Manchester City.
The Ammies had every reason to arrive in Milton Keynes with confidence; five wins on the bounce will tell as much.
This unexpected turnaround has completely changed the objectives and beliefs within the side. What was earlier a mid-table struggle is now an automatic promotion charge.
Nonetheless, a chance to break into the top three had presented itself, but MK Dons were always likely to pose a threat to the five consecutive clean sheets.
The typical tight nature of League Two has delivered at the halfway point. Despite these sides being only separated by five points, a staggering eight teams sit in between them. All was up for grabs at a freezing Stadium MK.
It was a lively start from both, trading half-chances without genuinely threatening either goalkeeper. MK Dons’ top scorer, Alex Gilbey, was finding abundant space behind the Salford City defence.
Both defences, lined up as a five when protecting their goal, were resolute in only allowing potshots, such as from ex-Ammie Callum Hendry who could not beat teenager Matt Young in the Salford goal.
The brightest chance of the opening half an hour came from the hosts, where a neat passage of play found Gilbey clear, but a poor connection saw the ball fly over.
Despite decent chances for MK Dons, Salford City opened the proceedings.
Liam Shephard was the deliverer of that goal as Hakeeb Adelakun met his low cross at the near post. His clever, deft touch flicked it past MK Dons keeper Tom McGill to earn Salford a lead against the run of play.
This earned the travelling side an advantage into half-time, but their second-half performance would have to be game-management-based if the three points were to return to Salford.
Unsurprisingly, MK Dons came out aggressively in the second half, pressing with intent and playing more directly towards the opposition goal.
In an attempt to weather that storm, the Ammies opted for tactical fouls, with Osama Ashley and Curtis Tilt earning yellow cards early in the half to prevent counterattacks for the hosts.
MK Dons should have had an equaliser on the hour mark after Liam Kelly squared the ball to Alex Gilbey, but his shot was fired straight at Matt Young.
The pressure was mounting, but Salford were responding with attacks of their own. Curtis Tilt hit the post shortly after Gilbey’s chance as the Ammies continued to halt their opposition’s momentum.
As time ran out for the hosts, frustrations and tensions rose. The 117 travelling Salford fans were heard throughout the game despite the lack of attacks.
It is now six wins and six clean sheets in a row for the Ammies, and a continuation of all the positives in the grit and efforts of Robinson’s side.
This result sees the Ammies climb to third in League Two, a statement win that further confirms the automatic promotion fight that Salford find themselves in.
Up next for Karl Robinson’s side is a trip to Premier League champions Manchester City in the FA Cup, which will unquestionably be a momentous occasion for the club.
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