James Tunnicliffe described his winner against Swindon on Tuesday as the perfect way to sign off his loan spell with MK Dons.

But it might not be the last Dons fans see of the towering Brighton centre-back.

Tunnicliffe, 22, helped keep Paul Ince's side in the race for the League 1 play-offs with a thumping header in the 2-1 win over the Robins - his first Dons goal in the final game of an initial one-month loan from the Seagulls.

The former Stockport man has provided excellent cover during a spell in which the Dons have been without several central-defensive options, playing in each of the last six games since his arrival in February.

And despite seeing the likes of Sean O'Hanlon and Mathias Doumbe near full-fitness, the 6ft 5in Mancunian has not ruled out an extended stay at stadiummk.

He told MK Dons Player: "I came here for six games and I'm delighted with how it's gone. I feel like I've learned a lot from the experience and the players and staff have all been brilliant to me.

"I was really pleased to add a goal to my name on Tuesday night, especially on the last game of my loan spell.

"But if I've done enough while I've been here and the Gaffer wants to keep me then, as long as Brighton are happy with that, we'll see what happens in the next couple of days."

Tuesday's win has taken the Dons to within five points of the top six, with some massive fixtures coming up this weekend. Seventh-placed Huddersfield host leaders Norwich, fifth-placed Millwall host Charlton in third and the Dons travel to mid-table Brentford.

It's a potentially crucial weekend in the race for promotion, and Tunnicliffe feels the Dons have put themselves right back into contention.

He said: "Tuesday was a massive game for us, having picked up three points on the Saturday, another win has put us right back in the mix.

"It's always good to take points off people that are above you and against a good team. It's given the side some momentum going into Saturday."