MK Dons boss Mike Williamson said his promotion-chasing side had shown real character to come from behind to win 2-1 away at Sky Bet League Two leaders Mansfield.
Dons were smarting from Saturday’s defeat by rivals AFC Wimbledon but bolstered their promotion hopes as Stags lost at home for only the second time this season.
“I thought it was a fantastic game between two good teams and you could see from the first whistle that both sides wanted to win,” said Williamson.
“I thought we showed every area of our character today and we played as much as we were allowed.
“We were under a lot of pressure as they are a really high-intensity, hard-working team. And we had to put bodies on the line as well.
“It was a good response from Saturday’s defeat and that is what these players are about and the chemistry they have in there.
“We had to play with a lot of courage and bravery today.
“Ultimately we had to respect who we are playing – they are top of the league for a reason. So I am proud of the boys tonight. They all put a real shift in.”
Mansfield went ahead after 15 minutes when MJ Williams’ handball gifted them a penalty.
Michael Kelly kept out Lucas Akins’ spot-kick and he then also saved the former Burton forward’s follow-up but could not stop Stephen Quinn burying the loose ball at the third time of asking.
However, five minutes later Lewis Brunt’s powerful header unluckily hit the onrushing Alex Gilbey who raced onto the gift and crashed home a fine 20-yard finish.
The winner came on 54 minutes through Matthew Dennis, who had cleared an Aden Flint header off the line and missed a six yard header in the first half.
He cut in from the left and saw his low finish take a deflection past Christy Pym.
Mansfield manager Nigel Clough said: “I don’t think we got a break tonight playing against an extremely good team – technically they are probably the best in the league.
“But I thought we were a bit unlucky with both goals tonight.
“For the first Lewis Brunt won a brilliant header and it just went straight to their lad off his thigh into his path and he’s put a great finish in.
“For the second Louis Reed’s had a shot from outside the box, it’s been blocked and gone in their lad’s path again and they have broken away and scored.
“There was bags of effort tonight but not a break. The lads gave absolutely everything.
“It took us three go’s to score from a penalty which probably summed up the night after scoring 14 goals here in the last couple of home games. We were maybe due one of these sorts of days.”