Izale McLeod broke the deadlock for the Dons at Grimsby

The MK Dons turned in an outstanding second half performance at Blundell Park to claim all three points and climb to fifth in the League Two table.

Top scorer Izale McLeod was the man to open the floodgates for the Dons, allowing Aaron Wilbraham to claim two further goals and dash the home side's hopes of a fightback, although they did enjoy a cracking late goal through Ricky Ravenhill.

The Dons came into the game with good news in the shape of McLeod, Wilbraham, Gareth Edds and Sean O'Hanlon coming through late fitness tests to earn their place in the starting eleven at Blundell Park.

Clive Platt, however, failed to make the travelling Dons party, awaiting the birth of his child - Wilbraham taking his place up front alongside top scorer McLeod.

The game began in an open and competitive fashion, with few chances at either end in the opening encounters.

That said, both teams' 'keepers were tested with long range efforts in the early minutes; first Lee Harper had to make a good save to deny Kevin James before Dean Lewington tested Phil Barnes with a clever free kick routine.

As the half wore on, neither team seemed to be emerging as the dominant force, which resulted in some very scrappy play and very few chances. On the positive side, the Dons did look very well organised and compact in defence in their quest to keep a clean sheet.

With half time approaching, Dons striker McLeod came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first period, as he collected a ball from Lewington, bought himself half a yard and shot left footed from the edge of the Mariners' box.

Unfortunately, his effort was just off target with Barnes seemingly beaten in the Grimsby goal.

At the other end, the hosts strung together their best move of the half just before the whistle to end the period, with a series of passes leading to dangerous cross and a header wide from Peter Bore.

HALF TIME: GRIMSBY TOWN 0 MK DONS 0

Aaron Wilbraham battles for the ball at Blundell Park

After the interval, the Dons were quickly into action and deservedly took the lead through McLeod, who bagged his ninth goal of the season.

A quickly taken corner on the left allowed Jon-Paul McGovern to whip the ball into the near post, where England under 21 international McLeod was on hand to head the ball home past Barnes.

GOAL: GRIMSBY TOWN 0 MK DONS 1
Izale McLeod 53

Seven minutes later and the Dons lead was doubled through Wilbraham, restored to a striking role and duly finding the net for the sixth time this season.

Collecting a ball over his shoulder from Jamie Smith, Wilbraham took one look, saw Barnes slightly off his line and deftly lobbed the ball into the Grimsby net with a glorious finish from outside the box.

GOAL: GRIMSBY TOWN 0 MK DONS 2
Aaron Wilbraham 60

After claiming the second goal, the Dons looked extremely comfortable and controlled the game, retaining possession and keeping the hosts deep in their own half.

In particular, the work rate of Edds and Keith Andrews in midfield was central to the Dons effort as they denied Grimsby even a sniff at goal, while with the lively McLeod up front, Martin Allen's team looked a constant threat on the break.

As the game entered the final ten minutes, the Dons made sure of the victory with a second goal from Wilbraham.

A poor clearance from the home side allowed McGovern the poke the ball into the penalty area, where Wilbraham was on hand to force the ball home from close range amidst a classic goalmouth scramble.

GOAL: GRIMSBY TOWN 0 MK DONS 3
Aaron Wilbraham 79

The third goal from the Dons, who enjoyed an excellent second half performance, really did kill the game off and secured the three points.

Having secured the three points, the Dons looked all set to collect a clean sheet in the process, but something special from Ravenhill denied the Dons that acclaim.

A cross from the right found Ravenhill on the edge of the box and with seemingly nothing on, the Mariners' midfielder lashed the ball home from the edge of the box with a stinging left foot volley.

GOAL: GRIMSBY TOWN 1 MK DONS 3
Ricky Ravenhill 90+

It was an excellent second half performance from Martin Allen's team that earnt the victory and the three points - the team showed their class in the second period and proved that they are genuine threat to any side in the division.

The late goal for the hosts may have denied the Dons a second consecutive league clean sheet, but it certainly couldn't take the gloss off the Dons' victory, which was without a doubt thoroughly deserved.

FINAL SCORE: GRIMSBY TOWN 1 MK DONS 3