Jo Kuffour's second-half strike gave Bristol Rovers a narrow victory over fellow play-off outsiders MK Dons.
Chris Lines fired in a shot after his free-kick had been blocked and it was deflected in by Kuffour on 54 minutes.
The Dons missed a golden chance when Danny Coles fouled Luke Chadwick, but Jermaine Easter's penalty was tipped on to the post by keeper Mikkel Andersen.
Their misery was completed when Mathias Doumbe was sent off for a second booking for a foul in injury time.
Bristol Rovers manager Paul Trollope told BBC Radio Bristol: "We have to be professional, we have to keep our shape, we have to keep solid.
"There was fantastic commitment from the players and it was a pleasing afternoon - it was a tough test for us.
"Things change quickly in football at this time of year. A win for one team and defeat for another can make a massive difference."
Live text and stats
Monday, 5 April 2010
League One
Home Team
Score
Away Team
Time
Bristol Rovers
1-0
MK Dons
FT
(HT 0-0)
Kuffour 56
Bristol Rovers
27 Andersen
02 Regan yellow card
05 Coles
06 Elliott
48 Jones
04 Lines
07 Campbell
16 Blizzard (Reece 87)
23 Swallow
10 Duffy (Williams 57 yellow card)
17 Kuffour
Substitutes
51 Evans,
03 Wright,
20 Reece,
21 Clough,
08 Williams,
28 Richard,
33 Clarke
MK Dons
17 Searle yellow card
03 Lewington
04 Doumbe yellow card, red card
05 McCracken yellow card
15 Woodards yellow card (Powell 90)
07 Gleeson (Howell 67)
13 Carrington
26 Chadwick
29 Randall yellow card
08 Easter yellow card
09 Wilbraham
Substitutes
20 Davis,
23 Powell,
28 Chicksen,
31 Flanagan,
21 Howell,
33 Williams,
36 Baldock
Ref: StroudAtt: 6,406
BRISTOL ROVERS
MK DONS
Possession
Bristol Rovers43%
MK Dons57%
Attempts on target
Bristol Rovers5
MK Dons8
Attempts off target
Bristol Rovers2
MK Dons7
Corners
Bristol Rovers5
MK Dons5
Fouls
Bristol Rovers10
MK Dons19
Final Result
Full Time
90:00+5:22 The referee signals the end of the game.
90:00+4:17 Shot on goal comes in from Chris Lines from the free kick.
90:00+4:17 Sent off The referee shows Mathias Doumbe a red card.
90:00+4:04 Ben Swallow fouled by Mathias Doumbe, the ref awards a free kick.
90:00+3:17 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mark Randall by Andrew Williams. Free kick crossed right-footed by Mark Randall, Carl Regan manages to make a clearance.
90:00+3:05 The ball is delivered by Luke Howell, clearance by Steve Elliott.
90:00+2:25 Booking Andrew Williams goes into the book.
90:00+1:54 Short corner taken by Ben Swallow.
90:00+1:02 The referee gives a free kick against Mark Randall for handball. Chris Lines has an effort direct from the free kick, brilliant save by Stuart Searle.
90:00+0:57 Daniel Jones crosses the ball, David McCracken makes a clearance.
89:54 Daniel Jones restarts play with the free kick.
89:54 Booking Mark Randall is cautioned.
89:50 Unfair challenge on Andrew Williams by Mark Randall results in a free kick.
89:01 Substitution Darren Powell is brought on as a substitute for Dan Woodards.
88:49 Shot from just outside the area by Mark Randall misses to the left of the target.
88:28 The ball is crossed by Dean Lewington, Jermaine Easter takes a shot. Mikkel Andersen makes a save.
88:10 Andrew Williams challenges Mathias Doumbe unfairly and gives away a free kick. Mathias Doumbe takes the free kick.
87:30 The ball is swung over by Mathias Doumbe, save made by Mikkel Andersen.
86:00 Substitution Dominic Blizzard goes off and Charles Reece comes on.
86:00 Jermaine Easter takes a shot. Blocked by Chris Lines.
85:51 Centre by Dean Lewington, Steve Elliott manages to make a clearance.
85:44 Dan Woodards produces a cross, Steve Elliott makes a clearance.
84:33 Effort on goal by Luke Chadwick from inside the penalty box misses to the right of the target.
79:31 The ball is sent over by Ben Swallow, Mathias Doumbe manages to make a clearance.
78:59 Carl Regan takes the direct free kick.
78:59 Booking Carl Regan booked.
78:14 Foul by Luke Howell on Dominic Blizzard, free kick awarded.
77:29 Outswinging corner taken by Stuart Campbell from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Luke Howell.
77:24 Jo Kuffour produces a cross, blocked by David McCracken.
77:13 The ball is crossed by Mark Randall, Danny Coles manages to make a clearance.
76:02 The ball is sent over by Andrew Williams.
74:01 Luke Howell gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Dominic Blizzard. Free kick crossed right-footed by Stuart Campbell. The assistant referee signals for offside against Andrew Williams. Indirect free kick taken by Stuart Searle.
73:31 The ball is crossed by Mark Carrington, Carl Regan makes a clearance.
71:49 Jermaine Easter crosses the ball.
70:44 Chris Lines crosses the ball, clearance by Mathias Doumbe.
70:04 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Danny Coles by Aaron Wilbraham. Mikkel Andersen takes the free kick.
69:56 The ball is crossed by Dan Woodards, clearance made by Carl Regan.
68:57 Corner taken by Ben Swallow played to the near post, clearance made by Aaron Wilbraham.
68:42 Jo Kuffour takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Save by Stuart Searle.
66:32 Substitution Luke Howell is brought on as a substitute for Stephen Gleeson.
62:33 Placed penalty taken by Jermaine Easter saved by Mikkel Andersen. Bristol Rovers 1-0 Milton Keynes Dons.
62:33 Foul by Danny Coles on Luke Chadwick, Penalty awarded.
57:49 The assistant referee flags for offside against Aaron Wilbraham. Free kick taken by Mikkel Andersen.
57:08 Carl Regan is adjudged to have handled the ball. Dean Lewington delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from left channel, Steve Elliott makes a clearance.
56:52 Booking David McCracken is given a yellow card.
56:32 Substitution (Bristol Rovers) makes a substitution, with Andrew Williams coming on for Darryl Duffy.
55:18 The assist for the goal came from Chris Lines.
55:18 GOAL - Jo Kuffour:Bristol Rovers 1 - 0 MK Dons Jo Kuffour scores a headed goal from deep inside the penalty box. Bristol Rovers 1-0 Milton Keynes Dons.
53:29 Chris Lines has a direct shot on goal from the free kick, blocked by David McCracken. Chris Lines takes a shot.
53:29 Booking The referee books Mathias Doumbe for unsporting behaviour.
53:07 Foul by Mathias Doumbe on Jo Kuffour, free kick awarded.
51:29 Effort on goal by Stephen Gleeson from 20 yards. Blocked by Chris Lines. Mark Randall takes the outswinging corner, Unfair challenge on Chris Lines by Mathias Doumbe results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Mikkel Andersen.
50:57 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jermaine Easter by Chris Lines. Dan Woodards takes the free kick.
50:13 The ball is sent over by Mathias Doumbe, Jermaine Easter takes a shot. Blocked by Danny Coles.
48:53 Mark Carrington gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Stuart Campbell. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Steve Elliott from left channel, Dean Lewington manages to make a clearance.
48:24 Mark Carrington is adjudged to have handled the ball. Free kick taken by Mikkel Andersen.
48:17 Dean Lewington delivers the ball, Steve Elliott makes a clearance.
48:08 Mark Carrington crosses the ball, Steve Elliott makes a clearance.
47:58 Ben Swallow challenges Mark Carrington unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Mark Carrington.
45:43 Steve Elliott gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jermaine Easter. Mark Randall shoots direct from the free kick.
45:01 The game restarts for the second half.
Half Time
45:00+0:53 The match has reached half-time.
44:25 Aaron Wilbraham takes a shot. Mikkel Andersen makes a comfortable save.
43:30 Corner taken by Mark Randall from the right by-line, clearance made by Chris Lines.
43:24 The ball is swung over by Mark Randall, Daniel Jones manages to make a clearance.
43:09 A cross is delivered by Dean Lewington, Steve Elliott manages to make a clearance.
43:01 A cross is delivered by Stephen Gleeson, clearance by Carl Regan.
42:28 Stephen Gleeson takes a shot. Save made by Mikkel Andersen.
41:59 Centre by Mark Randall, Ben Swallow makes a clearance.
40:00 Daniel Jones crosses the ball, David McCracken fouled by Darryl Duffy, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Stuart Searle.
39:22 Darryl Duffy fouled by Mathias Doumbe, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Daniel Jones.
38:26 Booking The referee shows Jermaine Easter a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
37:27 Free kick crossed by Daniel Jones, Mathias Doumbe manages to make a clearance.
37:27 Booking Dan Woodards booked.
37:20 Dan Woodards gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Daniel Jones.
37:01 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Stuart Campbell by Luke Chadwick. Chris Lines takes the free kick.
35:45 The offside flag is raised against Darryl Duffy. Indirect free kick taken by Stuart Searle.
34:42 Free kick awarded for a foul by Stephen Gleeson on Danny Coles. Mikkel Andersen takes the free kick.
34:36 The ball is swung over by Mark Randall.
32:42 The referee blows for offside. Mikkel Andersen takes the free kick.
31:58 Stephen Gleeson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Chris Lines. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Chris Lines, David McCracken makes a clearance.
31:16 Shot on goal by Mark Carrington from just inside the area clears the crossbar.
30:43 Dominic Blizzard gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Stephen Gleeson. David McCracken restarts play with the free kick.
28:46 Corner from right by-line taken by Mark Randall.
28:40 The ball is crossed by Jermaine Easter, Steve Elliott gets a block in.
24:52 Unfair challenge on Darryl Duffy by Dan Woodards results in a free kick. Daniel Jones crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from left wing.
23:18 Steve Elliott crosses the ball, save by Stuart Searle.
22:47 Corner from the right by-line taken by Stuart Campbell, clearance by Mathias Doumbe.
22:42 Jo Kuffour produces a cross, David McCracken gets a block in.
20:59 Corner taken right-footed by Mark Randall, Close range header by Jermaine Easter goes over the crossbar.
20:36 Dan Woodards produces a cross, Mark Randall takes a shot. Save by Mikkel Andersen.
19:51 Centre by Stephen Gleeson, clearance by Steve Elliott.
19:12 The ball is crossed by Dean Lewington, save by Mikkel Andersen.
17:35 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jo Kuffour by Dean Lewington. Stuart Campbell crosses the ball in from the free kick, clearance made by David McCracken.
17:13 Handball by Mark Randall. Danny Coles restarts play with the free kick.
15:54 The ball is sent over by Stuart Campbell, Stuart Searle makes a comfortable save.
15:16 Jo Kuffour fouled by Mathias Doumbe, the ref awards a free kick. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Stuart Campbell, Aaron Wilbraham manages to make a clearance.
15:00 Free kick awarded for a foul by Jermaine Easter on Daniel Jones. Mikkel Andersen takes the direct free kick.
12:20 Free kick awarded for a foul by David McCracken on Stuart Campbell. Mikkel Andersen restarts play with the free kick.
11:28 Shot by Mark Carrington. Blocked by Steve Elliott.
9:19 A cross is delivered by Ben Swallow, David McCracken makes a clearance.
8:59 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ben Swallow by Mark Carrington. Free kick taken by Steve Elliott.
8:11 Effort from the edge of the area by Luke Chadwick goes wide of the left-hand post.
7:49 A cross is delivered by Dean Lewington, Danny Coles manages to make a clearance.
Correction - 6:57 Chris Lines gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mark Randall. Direct free kick taken by David McCracken.
6:57 Chris Lines challenges Mark Randall unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by David McCracken.
5:27 The ball is sent over by Aaron Wilbraham, clearance by Stuart Campbell.
4:40 Effort from outside the penalty box by Mark Randall goes wide right of the goal.
4:06 Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Mark Randall.
4:01 A cross is delivered by Mark Randall, clearance by Steve Elliott.
1:50 Darryl Duffy takes a shot from 25 yards. Save by Stuart Searle. Stuart Campbell takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Dean Lewington.
1:20 Ben Swallow concedes a free kick for a foul on Mathias Doumbe. Mathias Doumbe takes the direct free kick.
0:24 Jermaine Easter is caught offside. Indirect free kick taken by Mikkel Andersen.
0:00 The referee gets the match started.
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