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REACTION: MK DONS 0 SOUTHAMPTON 3

Dons manager Paul Ince: "There were never three goals between those sides - not a cat in hell's chance. They had around four shots to our nine.

"We were well in the game, it was always going to be a battle and we had to stand up to them. It would have been nice to get the ball down and play a bit more, but I thought we were excellent today.

"People will look at the result and think we got a spanking, but anyone who watched the game will know it was a different situation."

FULL-TIME: MK DONS 0 SOUTHAMPTON 3

A comprehensive win for Southampton at stadiummk, but 3-0 is hard on MK Dons, who produced a performance of genuine spirit that went unrewarded.

The magnificent Rickie Lambert was the difference between the sides - the Saints' £1 million hitman producing a stunning hat-trick and a goal nobody at stadiummk is likely to forget in a hurry.

After a very even first half, Lambert gave the visitors the lead on 48 minutes when he beat Willy Gueret to a high ball in the box and doubled his tally from the spot after Mathias Doumbe had tripped Jose Fonte in the area.

But the piece de resistance from the former Bristol Rovers striker came 14 minutes from time when he volleyed his 30th goal of the season over Willy Gueret from fully 40 yards on the turn.

Dons can be proud of their efforts, but were ultimately undone by a wonderful attacking display from League 1's premier marksman.

FULL-TIME: MK DONS 0 SOUTHAMPTON 3

90mins - Southampton make their final change as Schneiderlin, who has been excellent all afternoon, is replaced by Paul Wotton. Four minutes of added time.

89mins - Dons just not quite there as Leven's hanging free-kick into the Saints box is headed down by Doumbe, but Wilbraham can't stretch far enough to make decisive contact in the six-yard box.

87mins - One for the cameras from Davis as Leven's corner is contested in the air, Davis blocks Chadwick's shot and Randall's eye-catching volley is caught on the fly by the Saints 'keeper.

83mins - Gobern wins a free-kick a little over 30 yards out and takes it himself, curling goalwards with his right foot, but Davis saves it quite comfortably.

81mins - Another change for the visitors, who bring off the cautioned Lee Barnard and replace him with David Connolly.

80mins - Wilbraham goes into the book for a foul on Schneiderlin in the air and Davis is quick out of his goal to have his say on the matter. It must be said, 3-0 is very harsh on the Dons, but Lambert's class has just shone through. He has been the difference, without a doubt.

79mins - A standing ovation from the visiting fans for hat-trick hero Lambert, who is replaced by Papa Waigo N'Diaye. Matchball secure, 30 goals for the season and probably the goal of the season to boot.

76mins - GOAL! MK DONS 0 SOUTHAMPTON 3 - RICKIE LAMBERT
Sometimes you just have to take your hat off to people - incredible goal from Lambert and you'll go some way to see a better one all season. Davis' long kick is controlled instantly by the Saints striker, who then hits a volley from fully 40 yards over Willy Gueret and into the far corner. If you're ever going to watch highlights on MK Dons Player, that's worth the subscription fee alone. Stunning.

75mins - Play restarts as Wilbraham goes to the touchline to change his shirt. The Dons man is furious with the challenge from Fonte, but he's got to keep his head when he comes back on. Great run from Chadwick down in the right sees him break into the Saints box, but the pass for Gleeson finds the Irishman in a lot of traffic and he can't get a shot on target.

72mins - Some concern for Wilbraham, who is rolling on the floor after being caught by the arm of Fonte in the air. Blood is streaming from the head of the Dons striker and his reaction is angry to say the very least. Fonte is cautioned, but the home fans are furious with it.

69mins - GOAL! MK DONS 0 SOUTHAMPTON 2 - RICKIE LAMBERT
Lambert doubles his tally and strengthens Southampton's grip on this game with his 29th goal of the season from 12 yards. Penalty given against Doumbe for a trip on Fonte in the left side of the Dons box after a right-wing corner was only half-cleared. Lambert smashes low to his left, Gueret gets a hand to it, but can't keep it out of the corner.

68mins - PENALTY TO SOUTHAMPTON

67mins - McCracken goes into the book for an off-the-ball clash with Barnard just inside the Dons half. Assistant on the far side gave it and Southampton fans wanted more than a yellow.

64mins - That will be Easter's final contribution as the Welshman seems to have hurt himself in going for that volley. He'll be replaced by the blue-booted, shaven-headed Lewis Gobern.

61mins - Dons really giving it a go here as another Leven free-kick is headed down by Tunnicliffe and Easter's acrobatic effort is palmed away by Davis at full-stretch. This is a really good spell for the home side.

60mins - Randall brings the crowd to its feet as Leven's corner deflects out his way on the edge of the box. Can't quite get over the half-volley though and the ball flies just over.

58mins - Yellows coming thick and fast now as a frustrated Lee Barnard leads with an arm against Peter Leven in the air. That's four we've had so far.

56mins - The most cynical foul you're likely to see all afternoon as a surging Chadwick is tripped from behind by Schneiderlin. A booking is rightly handed out.

55mins - Lewington goes into the book for a foul on Hammond, but actually felt he was fouled himself and is not happy about the decision. Dons fans trying to lift it and their team is trying to respond.

54mins - Easter just looks to be the wrong side of Seaborne as Wilbraham wins a flick on into the final third, but the Saints defender does enough to see off the danger. Dons make their first chance - Carrington off and replaced by Stephen Gleeson.

52mins - Decent response from the Dons but it's Southampton looking the more dangerous as a short corner comes Harding's way, and his curling shot from just over 20 yards is pushed wide by Gueret.

48mins - GOAL! MK DONS 0 SOUTHAMPTON 1 - RICKIE LAMBERT
Just the start to the second half the Dons didn't want as Davis launches a long kick into the Dons box which is not cleared properly and as Gueret comes to try and punch the second ball, Lambert beats him to it to head his 28th goal of the season.

4.06pm - SECOND HALF KICKS OFF
Dons get us back off and running at stadiummk, now attacking the Cowshed in the second half. Southampton have immediately switched Puncheon to the left flank and Lallana to the right.

HALF-TIME: MK DONS 0 SOUTHAMPTON 0

An intriguing half of football at stadiummk between two sides who clearly know each other very well.

The tactical battle has been interesting to watch with the Dons defending solidly in the face of Southampton's various attacking threats and then trying to get bodies forward to support Aaron Wilbraham wherever possible.

Chances have been few and far between - Adam Lallana seeing an early shot cleared off the line by Luke Chadwick and former Don Jason Puncheon working Willy Gueret from distance for the visitors.

Dons have had their sights of goal too though - Wilbraham heading straight at Kelvin Davis from Peter Leven's free-kick and Dean Lewington unable to get his effort on target from close range.

HALF-TIME: MK DONS 0 SOUTHAMPTON 0

44mins - This time it's Lallana down as he feels the full force of Mathias Doumbe crashing into him with a fair challenge down the Saints left. "You don't dangle a leg in against Doumbe," says Paul Mitchell on MK Dons Player. The Frenchman does not do things half-heartedly.

42mins - Buccaneering run from Tunnicliffe down the right brings the crowd to life and Leven follows it up with a bulldozing challenge on Schneiderlin by the touchline. Schneiderlin felt that, but it was a fair challenge.

38mins - Wilbraham is having a really tough first half up against Fonte and Seaborne, who have been physical in the extreme. Tunnicliffe hurls a long throw in from the right and the whistle goes for shirt-pulling from Wilbraham, who shakes his head in disbelief.

33mins - Nearly a moment of magic from Lamber to open the game up as he hammers a right-footed free-kick from fully 35-yards that whistles past the right-hand upright.

32mins - Intriguing tactical battle going on here, with both sides enjoying spells in possession and showing plenty of discipline in defence. Dons have looked very well organised at the back so far.

25mins - Best chance of the game so far as another Leven free-kick is won brilliantly in the air by Tunnicliffe and Lewington, on the stretch, can't get his volley on target from six yards. It wasn't an easy chance to finish, but it was a genuine opening.

24mins - Leven's corner from the right cleared as far as Randall on the edge of the box, whose awkward shot forces Davis to claw the ball wide. Wasn't the cleanest of hits, but it caused problems through a crowd of bodies.

22mins - First shot in anger from the drifting Puncheon, who collects a pass from Joseph Mills in a far more central position, gives himself a yard on Randall then pulls the trigger from 25 yards. Gueret well behind the low shot.

17mins - You can tell these two sides have met a few times already this season - there's not an inch anywhere on the pitch, particularly for Puncheon down this right-hand side. Very nip-and-tuck, but it's threatening to open up here and there as Fonte stretches to hold off Chadwick just outside the Saints box.

12mins - Caution for Peter Leven for a tackle from behind on Schneiderlin as the Frenchman tried to burst through midfield. Advantage was played at the time, but referee Colin Webster doesn't forget the incident and comes back once the play breaks down.

9mins - Dons fans always appreciate a bit of imagination and Randall showed plenty there, robbing Puncheon in the centre circle then trying to chip Davis from just inside his own half. The shot didn't quite have the legs, but it was a lovely idea.

Former Dons skipper Paul Mitchell on MK Dons Player: "Dean Lewington just saw the ball out with a strong shoulder on Puncheon then gave him a look as if to say: 'You're in for plenty of that this afternoon.'"

5mins - Dons' first chance and it's a decent one as Leven's free-kick from the left finds the free head of Aaron Wilbraham, but the in-form striker diverts the ball straight at Davis in the Saints goal.

4mins - Lambert's corner from the right is put behind by Hammond but another corner is strangely awarded on the other side by assistant referee Sian Massey. Puncheon takes this one, it flicks off the head of Wilbraham and Gueret makes a fine save, but the whistle has gone for a push and it's a Dons free-kick.

1min - Almost a nightmare start for the Dons as Chadwick has his pocket picked by Puncheon down the Saints right and the former Dons man's cross is clawed at but not cleared by Gueret. Lallana smashes goalwards from beyond the far post and Chadwick gets back to head brilliantly off the line.

3.02pm - KICK-OFF
Grey skies and a light drizzle over stadiummk as Southampton get the game underway in navy shirts, yellow shorts and yellow socks. Dons are defending the Cowshed in the first period.

2.58pm - A word of note, there was a terrific reception from the home supporters as Jason Puncheon's name was announced in the Saints line-up. A lovely moment for a player whose career has drawn him back to Milton Keynes three times, but his focus will undoubtedly be on victory today.

2.55pm - Just a few minutes from kick-off at stadiummk as the teams gather in the tunnel and there's plenty of noise coming from both ends as these two familiar foes prepare to do battle for a fourth time this season. The players are out and we'll be off and running shortly.

2.47pm - TEAM NEWS - One change for the Dons this afternoon as Frenchman Mathias Doumbe makes his first start since January in place of Danny Woodards at right-back. That means 4-3-3 for the Dons again, with Jermaine Easter and Luke Chadwick supporting Aaron Wilbraham up front.

Two changes for Saints and both are in defence where Joseph Mills and Dan Seaborne come in for Wayne Thomas and Radhi Jaidi. Puncheon is expected to start on the right of a four-man midfield.

MK DONS: Willy Gueret, Dean Lewington (c), Mathias Doumbe, David McCracken, Jermaine Easter, Aaron Wilbraham, Mark Carrington, James Tunnicliffe, Peter Leven, Luke Chadwick, Mark Randall.

SUBS: Stephen Gleeson, Lewis Gobern, Danny Woodards, Sol Davis, Luke Howell, Darren Powell, Dean Morgan.

SOUTHAMPTON: Kelvin Davis, Jose Fonte, Dan Harding, Jason Puncheon, Dean Hammond (c), Adam Lallana, Morgan Schneiderlin, Daniel Seaborne, Rickie Lambert, Joseph Mills, Lee Barnard.

SUBS: Bartosz Bialkowski, Paul Wotton, Chris Perry, Papa Waigo N'Diaye, David Connolly, Lloyd James, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Mathias Doumbe makes his first start since January.

2.40pm - It's MK Dons v Southampton Part IV this afternoon as the saga between these two sides comes to what the Dons hope will be a positive conclusion this season. The men from MK have had little joy out of their rivals from the south coast since their relegation to League 1 last May - beaten in all of the previous three meetings - but finally overcoming Alan Pardew's men today would give their play-off hopes a real boost.

After a 3-1 St Mary's victory back in October, big-spending Southampton put the Dons to the sword again over two legs in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy earlier this year - winning 1-0 at stadiummk in the first leg and 3-1 at St Mary's in the return. The Wembley final of that competition, against Carlisle United, will be played next weekend.

Thicken the plot somewhat with the switch of playmaker Jason Puncheon from Plymouth, via the Dons, to Southampton between those two JPT legs and you've got a tasty-looking encounter on your hands this afternoon. If any Saints player has his eye on that final next week, it will not be the cup-tied Puncheon, who would love to register a win over his old Club, despite the utmost regard with which he holds Paul Ince, his former team mates and everyone else at the Club. His reception today will be one of the many highlights to look out for.

The fixture has had its flash points as well - Dons striker Aaron Wilbraham and Saints 'keeper Kelvin Davis have previous from the three other games - and their will be no love lost between two passionate sets of fans.

It will be one worth staying with on MK Dons Player and here on Clockwatch from 3.00pm.