Stockport brought an abrupt end to MK Dons' nine-game winning streak as goals from Anthony Elding and Anthony Pilkington gave the Hatters a surprise win at stadiummk.

Jim Gannon's well-drilled outfit struck twice in the second half as they became the first visiting team to keep a clean sheet at the Dons' new home.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Paul Ince's men, who saw some good chances go begging either side of half-time.

Led by their outstanding captain Ashley Williams, Stockport defended with determination and played with a confidence not expected from a team that had lost its previous four.

But Dons will be blessing their luck tonight as draws for all their nearest rivals mean they stay three points clear at the top of League Two.

With Ince naming an unchanged side from the win over Hereford last week, stadiummk might have been waiting for normal service to resume from the off, but they got a warning shot with two minutes.

With the home side adapting to Stockport's three forwards, Elding dropped off to collect a knock down from the imperious Matty McNeil and put Leslie Thompson through with a ball down the right.

Aaron Wilbraham in action during the Dons' defeat to Stockport.

Thompson should have opened the scoring, but he dragged his shot wide with only Gueret to beat.

But once the Dons got to grip with their opponents, they started to create and when Drissa Diallo fed Aaron Wilbraham on the edge of the box, the big striker rolled Williams to put himself clear in the box.

Unlike Thompson before him, Wilbraham's effort was on target but Conrad Logan blocked well with his chest.

Despite the early chances, the game had little pace to it and both sides looked laboured as they tried to figure the other out.

Elding volleyed well over and Lloyd Dyer replied, beating Griffin on the right before hitting a shot that Logan fended away, but the game still needed something.

Dean Lewington walked away from one horrifying challenge from Jamie Smith just before the half-hour mark and at this point, Stockport had retreated substantially.

Mark Wright battles to create an opening.

Wilbraham turned his man again on the edge of the box only to be forced wide by Logan as the breakthrough continued to avoid the home side.

McNeil had the ball in the net just before the break after a great through ball from Jason Taylor, but the giant County striker was flagged offside to ensure a goalless half.

The Dons produced their best passage of the game two minutes after the break which so nearly resulted in Wilbraham opening the scoring.

Keith Andrews' dummy in midfield allowed Alan Navarro to find Lewington on the left and the full-back whipped a dangerous ball into the box.

Wilbraham intelligently allowed the ball to bounce up in front of him before placing a header across Logan that bounced off the outside of the post.

The home side did have the ball in the net just after the hour mark when Lewington's corner was headed down by Danny Swailes and Diallo hooked in the loose ball but the whistle had gone for a push.

Dyer had more joy switching over to the right moments later as he got inside Williams and forced another good save from Logan but it was the visitors who broke to open the scoring on 73 minutes.

Taylor's ball into the box was won by the ever-battling McNeil, and as ball dropped in the middle of the penalty area, Elding was on the scene to sweep a half-volley past Gueret and into the bottom corner.

Leon Knight puts a low cross in behind the Hatters defence.

It was a goal that meant the world to Elding, suspended by his club last week, and his celebrations with the bench were those of a happy man.

Wilbraham had a great chance to level three minutes later but his volley was saved by Logan after Sean O'Hanlon had flicked on Lewington's free-kick.

And when the County 'keeper pushed substitute Jemal Johnson's effort wide on 78, you got the impression it wouldn't be the Dons' day.

Any hopes of a late equaliser were wiped out by Pilkington with the last kick of the game, as he rushed to the near post to convert fellow substitute Liam Dickinson's low cross from the right.

The Dons will pick themselves up and look to start another run in the Bucks derby at Wycombe next week, but they will have to do so without Navarro, who collected a fifth booking of the season during the second half.

MK Dons (4-4-2): Gueret, Diallo, O'Hanlon, Swailes, Lewington, Wright (Cameron 82), Navarro, Andrews, Dyer (Smart 65), Knight (Johnson 72), Wilbraham.

Subs not used: Broughton, Abbey.

Booked: Navarro

Stockport County (4-3-3): Logan, Smith, Williams, Raynes (Dickinson 82), Griffin, Taylor, Tansey (Turnball 63), Tierney, Thompson (Pilkington 58), McNeil, Elding.

Subs not used: Blizzard, Proudlock.

Goals: Elding 73, Pilkington 90

Booked: Smith

Attendance: 8,290