Bristol Rovers lost 1-0 at Stadium MK as their dreadful run of one win in 17 continues.
A Callum Paterson goal deep into stoppage time of the first half kept the Gas just one place above the relegation zone as other results went their way.
Steve Evans made four changes to his side that lost 1-0 to Salford last weekend, Joel Senior, Clinton Mola, Taylor Moore and Ellis Harrison coming in.
They replaced Isaac Hutchinson, Alfie Kilgour, Luke Thomas and Kane Thompson-Summer, who was unable to play against his parent club. Steve Evans also bought new signing Mees Rijks onto the bench.
Paul Warne made only two changes after his 5-1 victory against Shrewsbury, replacing Liam Kelly and Gethin Jones with Jon Mellish and Jay Matete.
It was a drab first half, however Bristol Rovers could have had the lead in the 31st minute after Fabrizio Cavegn was sent through one-on-one by Shaq Forde but his shot was saved well by Craig MacGillivray.
MK Dons did have their fair share of chances, with a great chance falling to centre-back Luke Offord who slammed his shot onto the crossbar from close range.
MK Dons had a penalty shout turned away in the 39th minute. Aaron Collins going down in the box under Riley Harbottle, who had already been booked, however the referee waved it away.
Steve Evans was irate post-match after the referees decision to not send off Paterson after an elbow on Joel Senior in added time of the first half, with the Scots-man tapping home what turned out to be the winning goal of the game a few minutes later.
For big parts of the second half, Rovers did not look like the relegation-threatened team they are putting an abundance of pressure on the team hunting for automatic promotion without carving out clear cut chances.
Evans looked to change things up with his subs, bringing on Rijks for his debut along with Spurs loanee Yusuf Akhamrich, the latter looking very lively on the right flank.
The Dons could have wrapped up the game when Aaron Collins sent substitute Jones through on goal although Brad Young stood in his way making a good save to keep the game alive going into the final minutes.
It was not to be for the away side, although a rejuvenated performance after losses to Colchester and Salford The Gas could not find the back of the net to get a result.
Next up for Bristol Rovers is three home games in a row, with Saturday’s early kick-off against Newport a must-win which could allow Steve Evans side to go four points clear of the drop zone.
