MK Dons suffered defeat to Stockport County after three first-half goals from Paddy Madden, Callum Camps and Isaac Olaofe in Greater Manchester.
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans then added a fourth immediately after halftime to put the game out of reach. The Dons limited County after that and created a few opportunities of their own in the second half, but Neill Byrne was eventually able to turn home a fifth in the final minute of stoppage time.
Mike Williamson made one change to the XI that beat Crewe Alexandra last week with Emre Tezgel coming into the side for Matt Dennis who dropped out with an injury. Dan Kemp also missed out through injury and was replaced in the squad by the returning Max Dean. Filip Marschall was deemed fit enough to make the bench and replaced Nathan Harness who joined Gateshead on loan earlier this week.
FIRST HALF
Stockport County started brightly and earned the first corner of the match after just 90 seconds, but Emre Tezgel defended and was able to thump the ball clear.
Stockport then had another chance five minutes later, Paddy Madden smashed a half volley towards Michael Kelly’s goal but his ambitious effort from 30 yards was always going wide.
A few minutes after MK Dons had their first chance of the evening, Stephen Wearne turned a Joe Tomlinson cross towards goal from around the six-yard box, but Ben Hinchliffe was alert to it and managed to palm the ball away.
The Dons then had another chance in quick succession, Emre Tezgel received the ball in the box from Stephen Wearne before checking to his left and firing off a low curling shot just wide of the keeper's right-hand side.
After 12 minutes MK Dons earned a free-kick in a good position after Joe Tomlinson was fouled on the edge of the area. Jack Payne stepped up to take it and sent his shot dipping over the wall but fractionally wide to Hinchliffe's left.
Five minutes later Alex Gilbey tried his luck from distance, the midfielder let fly from 35 yards but Hinchliffe was able to claim it comfortably.
Kyran Lofthouse fashioned a brilliant chance not long afterwards, the wing-back was quickest to react after a throw-in and flew down the wing before squaring the ball to Joe Tomlinson, the Dons’ number 14 did well to keep his shot down but it was well blocked by a Stockport defender.
The Dons continued to pile on the pressure with Jack Payne finding himself with time to shoot a few moments later, but the midfielder sent his effort over from just outside the box.
After 23 minutes MK Dons had the ball in the net, Alex Gilbey was played through one-on-one and finished with a lovely chip over the keeper, but the assistant referee had already blown for offside.
Joe Tomlinson continued to cause County problems as the half progressed, the wing-back beat his man on the left side of the pitch before bursting towards the byline and playing a pass into the area that just evaded Alex Gilbey.
After half an hour Stockport took the lead, Paddy Madden got past Stephen Wearne and played a pass towards Callum Camps who then ran at Michael Kelly, the Irish goalkeeper looked to have claimed the ball at first, but Camps nicked it back off him to roll the ball in. 1-0.
MK Dons nearly responded immediately, Michael Kelly played a pinpoint pass over the top to Joe Tomlinson who found himself through on goal, the wing-back stabbed goalwards from close range but Hinchliffe stood up well and was able to save.
Not long afterwards Stockport had doubled their lead, Callum Camps played a dinked ball into Paddy Madden allowing the forward to run past the MK Dons defence and create a one-on-one shooting opportunity. The Irish striker then kept his cool to slot home to Kelly’s right. 2-0.
Just before half-time Stockport earned the first yellow card of the evening, Todd Kane was booked for cynically pulling Alex Gilbey back on the halfway line.
In the first minute of stoppage time Stockport had their third, a lofted ball over the top evaded Daniel Harvie giving Tanto Olaofe the chance to shoot, the striker then calmly took the ball past Michael Kelly to roll home. 3-0.
SECOND HALF
Just after the second half had started Stockport added a fourth, Connor Lemonhiegh-Evans wrapped his foot around a loose ball on the edge of the area and curled in a brilliant effort from 25 yards. 4-0.
A minute later Stockport could have added a fifth, Paddy Madden struck a fierce shot from just inside the box that rattled against the crossbar.
Just before the hour mark Mike Willamson made a triple substitution, MJ Williams, Jack Payne and Emre Tezgel made way for Cameron Norman, Ellis Harrison and Max Dean.
In the 63rd minute MK Dons had a chance to score, Cameron Norman played in a threatening cross from the right-hand side towards Ellis Harrison who met it well but sent his header wide.
Around eight minutes later the Dons had another opportunity, Joe Tomlinson fired a free-kick in towards Cameron Norman who was arriving late at the back post. The defender latched onto the cross but couldn’t control it and the ball went out for a goal-kick.
With around ten minutes left to play Joe Tomlinson created a chance for Max Dean, the wing-back broke down the left-hand side and whipped a ball across the face of goal. The young forward stretched to meet it but couldn’t quite connect.
Mike Williamson then made his fourth change of the evening, with Stephen Wearne coming off for Ethan Robson.
In the final minute of stoppage time Neill Byrne turned home from close range to add a fifth. 5-0.
***
MK Dons: Kelly, O’Hora, Williams (Norman 58), Gilbey (C), Payne (Harrison 58), Tomlinson, Harvie, Tezgel (Dean 58), Wearne (Robson 80), Lofthouse, Bate
Subs: Marschall, Lewington, Illunga
Yellow cards: Payne 39
Stockport County: Hinchliffe, Touray, Horsfall, Camps, Madden (C), Powell (Croasdale 61), Pye, Wooton, Lemonheigh-Evans (Hippolyte 77), Olaofe (Byrne 69), Kane (Bailey 69)
Subs: Smith, Richards, Knight
Goals: Camps 31, Madden 36, Olaofe 45+1, Lemonheigh-Evans 50, Byrne 90+4
Yellow cards: Kane 44
Referee: Marc Edwards
Stadium: Edgeley Park
Attendance: 9,727 (568)
