Dons manager Paul Ince says his side must be ready to pounce on dropped points in a potentially-pivotal weekend in the League 1 promotion race.

Ince's play-off-chasing side travel to mid-table Brentford on Saturday knowing a third straight win could propel them into genuine contention with several of the division's leading contenders going head-to-head.

With Huddersfield in seventh hosting leaders Norwich, fifth-placed Millwall hosting third-placed Charlton and Leeds in second travelling to League 1 mavericks Southampton, the weekend's significance could be enormous in the context of the season.

But despite having the chance to pull within two points of the play-offs on Saturday, Ince concedes the Dons still have some way to go if they're to make the division's end-of-season shootout.

He told MK Dons Player: "We've given ourselves a slim chance. We said after Millwall defeat that we needed to beat Leyton Orient on the Saturday and couple that with a win over Swindon. We managed to do that but, with Millwall winning in midweek too, there is still a lot of work to be done.

"It's still only a slim chance so we shouldn't be getting carried away, we just have to keep winning games and see where it takes us.

"We're aware there are some big games this weekend, so we've got to make sure that, if there are any slip-ups, we do the business. There are no grey areas now - we have to keep winning."

The trip to Griffin Park will be a tough examination for Ince's improving team following their 2-1 win over Swindon on Tuesday night.

The Bees have only lost twice at home this season and, having mugged the Dons with a classic 1-0 smash-and-grab at stadiummk in December, Ince is aware that Brentford will be a tough nut to crack.

Charlie MacDonald celebrates his shock winner at stadiummk in December.

He said: "I think we do owe them one, not in a nasty way, but even Andy Scott admitted after that game that he was a bit embarrassed by the way the game went. They nicked three points that day, so hopefully I can relaying the same message to him on Saturday!

"It'll be a tough game for us, but we go there full of confidence and we're looking forward to it.

"Andy Scott's done a very good job with them and they're always very hard to beat. They're hard to play against and they've got some very good players - the lad MacDonald up front scores a lot of goals and the lad Weston on the wing is quick and he causes problems.

"They're pitch isn't the best, they're one of these sides in limbo where they can't go up and they can't go down and the pressure is off them so it'll be a tough, tough game for us."

Tickets for Saturday's trip to Brentford will be on sale from the MK Dons Box Office until 6.00pm on Friday or from Griffin Park on the day of the game.

Click here for full details.