MK Dons suffered their fourth league defeat of the season as a Jamie Ward-inspired Chesterfield came from behind at stadiummk.

Ward pounced on 52 minutes to take full advantage of Derek Niven's slide-rule pass and exorcise the demons of his last scoring visit to Milton Keynes.

The Birmingham-born striker scored a first-half double for Torquay United at the National Hockey Stadium last season to put his side in a seemingly unassailable lead.

The Dons fought back on a memorable night to claim a 3-2 victory and Ward's contribution was relatively forgotten.

But stadiummk proved more of a happy hunting ground for the 21-year-old as he clinched the Spireites' sixth away win of the season.

It was a game that started so well for the Dons when Mark Wright gave them the lead, rounding off a wonderful move by converting Lloyd Dyer's left-wing cross.

But Paul Ince's men lacked their usual incisiveness and were outplayed for long periods by Lee Richardson's positive team.

Felix Bastians struck a superb equaliser from Adam Rooney's cross just after the half-hour mark - a just reward for the visitors' efforts before Ward bagged the winner soon after the break.

Aaron Wilbraham in action for the Dons against Chesterfield.

Few could argue the visitors deserved it and even when the Dons got themselves in front it came from what should have been a Chesterfield corner.

Spireites striker Jack Lester controlled a cross from Gregor Robertson inside the area only to see his shot deflect just wide after a last-ditch challenge from Sean O'Hanlon.

But referee Phil Joslin signalled for a goal-kick and instead of defending a corner, almost inevitably, the Dons got themselves in front.

Dyer set off on a trademark break down the left flank and as his low ball fizzed into the box, Jemal Johnson stepped over it and Wright was completely free to side-foot home.

Chesterfield were furious but set about seeking justice in the right way, forcing the home side back and probing the Dons defence with a series of high balls into the box.

Mark Wright celebrates his goal with team mates.

Mr Joslin waved away Lester's appeals for a penalty after a tackle from Swailes just inside the box but the Dons were struggling to get out of their own half at times as Richardson's men turned the screw.

And they pulled themselves level through Bastians' well-taken equaliser.

Adam Rooney produced a cross from the right his namesake Wayne would have proud of, dropping just over the desperate Drissa Diallo, and Bastians took one touch on his chest before volleying confidently across Willy Gueret and into the top corner from 10 yards.

It was a goal Chesterfield easily merited though the Dons did their best to hit back before the break with both Keith Andrews and Alan Navarro going close from range.

But the home side looked a touch sleepy after the break and were almost caught out by Peter Leven's long throw that found Lester unmarked in the box.

O'Hanlon did enough to clear the danger that time but he could do nothing soon after as Ward completed the turnaround.

Andrews squandered possession for the Dons in midfield, allowing Niven the chance to pick a pass in the final third.

He slipped it through to Ward, who took a good touch into the box before slotting low past Gueret.

Ward was proving a real handful, dropping into deep positions and carrying the ball forward at pace and when Lester found him in the clear shortly afterwards, only a saving tackle from Diallo prevented Ward getting in again.

Mark Wright and Jemal Johnson look to get past the Chesterfield defence.

The Dons were still struggling for attacking rhythm, Janos Kovacs and Kevin Gray dealing with most things the home side threw at them.

Barry Roche saved well with his feet when Swailes got his head to Andrews' free-kick and Dyer was blocked well by Lowry but Chesterfield were hardly pinned in their own half as Ward continued to take the game to the Dons.

Time seeped away as Chesterfield continued to play positively and Gueret had to save well at the feet of Bastians after Ward's through-ball.

The little striker turned on the style again with seven minutes to go, dancing around Danny Swailes and O'Hanlon before being ushered away from danger by Gueret.

But a chance always presents itself in these situations and the Dons would have taken it if it wasn't for the brilliance of Roche and the eagle-eyes of Mr Joslin in injury time.

Dean Lewingon swung a wicked free-kick in from the right, Swailes rose to power a header goalwards and Roche made a fantastic one-handed save low to his left.

Andrews managed to bundle the loose ball home but the goal was disallowed for handball.

MK Dons: Gueret, Diallo (Cameron 69), O'Hanlon, Swailes, Lewington, Wright, Andrews, Navarro, Dyer, Wilbraham (Gallen 62), Johnson (Broughton 81).
Subs Not Used: Smart, Abbey.

Booked: O'Hanlon, Swailes, Andrews.

Goals: Wright 10.

Chesterfield: Roche, Lowry, Kovacs, Gray, Robertson, Rooney, Niven, Leven, Bastians (O'Hare 85), Ward, Lester (Fletcher 69).
Subs Not Used: Smith, Winter, Davies.

Booked: Robertson, Lowry.

Goals: Bastians 33, Ward 52.

Attendance: 9,638.

Referee: Phil Joslin (Nottinghamshire)