Stefan Scougall and Billy Sharp scored either side of a Darren Potter equaliser to give in-form Sheffield United all three points against managerless MK Dons.
Scougall had given the Blades an early lead after some woeful Dons defending, but Potter equalised in the second-half with a side-footed effort.
The hosts then took the lead again when Scougall found Sharp at the back post to pile another defeat on the men from Milton Keynes.
The loss sees interim manager Richie Barker’s side drop to 20th in League One and remain outside the relegation places only due to a better goal difference than Swindon Town.
Ben Reeves had the Dons’ first chance of the game when his effort was saved by Simon Moore and nothing came of the resulting short corner.
Scougall found the back of the net after just six minutes as he forced the ball across the line after a scramble in the penalty area.
The day went from bad to worse for Richie Barker’s men when Samir Carruthers was forced off, although he was replaced by the welcome return of Kieran Agard.
United had a couple more chances with Billy Sharp shooting just wide before David Martin denied Shane Duffy from a free-kick.
Substitute Agard tried to get the visitors back into the game but fired an effort off target.
But things soon turned around for the Dons after half-time as Potter cooly finished beyond Moore to level the score up.
And Barker’s side continued to look as if they were gaining more control of the game, until Scougall was at the centre of things again.
He managed to keep the ball in play, despite complaints from Dons players, and looped a cross over to Sharp who finished it off to regain the lead for the Blades.
All of the early second-half improvement from the visiting side had gone out of the window and they struggled to create any real chances after the second goal.
It means Richie Barker’s first, and possibly only, game in charge of MK Dons ends in defeat, although it was a close one to one of the best sides in the league.
