MK Dons made it 10 points from a possible 12 thanks to another professional away performance and a 2-0 win at Bury.
Goals in either half from Osman Sow and Ethan Ebanks-Landell saw the Dons deservedly come out on top in difficult conditions.
To cap off a good afternoon, the men from MK1 collected a third straight clean sheet and Chuks Aneke made his long-awaited return to first-team action.
Robbie Neilson recalled Ebanks-Landell, Ed Upson and Kieran Agard to the starting XI for the game in Greater Manchester.
After dealing with some early pressure, the Dons hit the front on six minutes when Sow latched on to Scott Golbourne’s pass, controlled and coolly slotted past Leonardo Fasan.
That lifted the men from MK1, who threatened a second through Gboly Ariyibi – some fancy footwork saw him superbly get away from two challenges but his shot was blocked.
Shortly afterwards, Ebanks-Landell headed wide from a right-wing corner before a stunning touch from Sow set up Aaron Tshibola, who dragged his effort wide after a purposeful drive forward.
Captain Alex Gilbey came close to creating another opportunity just past the 10-minute mark while, at the other end, Lee Nicholls made a strong save to deny Michael Smith, who should have done better from close range.
Agard’s first chance arrived on 20 minutes when he glanced a header wide from Gboly Ariyibi’s cross before Chris Maguire curled a free-kick past the left-hand post for the hosts.
Opportunities went begging at either end midway through the half – Josh Laurent drove wide from the edge of the area prior to Upson curling over from 20 yards.
After a corner had dropped to the edge of the box, Gilbey saw a shot blocked – something Bury nearly successfully countered on but Laurent fired into the side-netting from 15 yards.
Fasan denied the Dons a second goal on 37 minutes when he got down well away to his left, pushing away Agard’s effort after a sublime tee-up from Sow.
Nicholls got behind a fizzing effort from Maguire in the dying embers of the first half as the Dons went in 1-0 up at the break.
Hard work from Ariyibi saw him win the ball on the left touchline early in the second half but he was stopped in his tracks after entering the penalty area.
Golbourne drove into space on 49 minutes and let fly from 25 yards, the shot going narrowly over the top of Fasan’s crossbar as the Dons looked to extend their lead.
Sow shot over from distance before Upson picked up a good position at the other end to clear and Nicholls comfortably gathered Smith’s effort.
The Dons’ No.1 was forced into a better save 10 minutes into the half to deny Chris Humphrey but he was able to watch Phil Edwards’ header off target shortly afterwards.
Neilson’s men went close to making it 2-0 on the hour mark when a Bury defender inadvertently turned Sow’s cross on to the roof of his own net.
Gilbey forced Fasan into a smart save on 66 minutes from 20 yards after Sow had again held the ball up brilliantly and brought someone into play.
From the resulting corner, former Shaker Ebanks-Landell headed Golbourne’s set-piece past Fasan and into the net to hand Neilson’s side a 2-0 lead.
They escaped five minutes later, though, when Smith’s cross just averted Jermaine Beckford, who was in a good position in the Dons box.
There was a welcome sight inside the final 10 minutes when fans favourite Aneke came on for his first appearance since February, replacing the impressive Sow.
Nicholls pulled off a stunning save to deny Laurent as he ensured his clean sheet, but the Dons weren’t finished at the other end as Aneke powered through and forced a smart save from Fasan, who got down well shortly afterwards to thwart Gilbey.
Starting XI: Nicholls; Brittain, Wootton, Ebanks-Landell, Golbourne (Williams 76); Upson, Tshibola, Gilbey (c); Ariyibi (Cisse 71), Agard, Sow (Aneke 83).
Unused subs: Sietsma, Lewington, Nesbitt, Seager.
Goals: Sow (6), Ebanks-Landell (66).
Bookings: Nicholls, Gilbey, Brittain.
Attendance: 3,165 (166 Dons fans).
